David S. Yanoshek

YANOSHEK David S. Yanoshek, March 17, 1952 to June 28, 2008. Long time Anchorage resident Dave Yanoshek died while rafting with his sons on the Kenai River near Skilak Lake. Dave was born in Columbus, Ohio to Steve and Donna Yanoshek. He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1970 and from Ohio State with a bachelor's degree in engineering in 1975. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Alaska, with his new bride, Barbara Smith, who later became an art teacher with the Anchorage School District. Dave worked as a civil engineer, spending the last 25 years with CRW Engineering Group where he was an owner as well as a senior civil engineer. He worked on water and sewer projects throughout rural Alaska. He was also responsible for various road and trail projects in the Anchorage area including the development of the Campbell Creek trail system. Dave was very active in other endeavors outside of work as well. He was one of the original members of the Great Northern Brewing Club and successfully brewed beer for over 30 years. He won many awards for his home brews and in recent years served as a certified beer judge at local brewing competitions. He and Barb frequently attended the Miners and Trappers Ball in various costumes and won many awards for their creativity and sense of humor. He was also involved with various community projects and activities. Working with his sons' Boy Scout troop was his greatest joy, as assistant scout master and more recently committee chairman for the troop. From service projects to outdoor adventures, including Scout camp, Dave was there for all the boys. The most memorable trip was spending two weeks floating the Yukon River with the Screaming Eagles patrol and Barb. Dave was an avid outdoorsman. He loved being on the water and floated many of the south central Alaska lakes and streams with his family, friends and scouts. Dave loved to fish and caught his share of salmon and halibut, including a 255 pound monster in Katchemak Bay. He somehow found space in his busy schedule to spend time bonding with some of his closest male friends canoeing deep into the Swanson Lake trails. He also loved to dipnet and camp along the Copper River with his family, a trip they took yearly. The most important part of Dave's life was his family. Dave was very proud of his three children and his wife, Barb of 33 years. She has the same adventurous spirit and accompanied him on many of his adventures in and out of the state. Dave especially enjoyed his children and spent many hours with them through scouts, school, sports and a multitude of camping adventures. He will be remembered as great husband and father to his family and as a pillar of strength to all who knew him. He always had a smile to give and his hearty laugh was infectious. He will be greatly missed. Dave was preceded in death by parents Steve and Donna Yanoshek. He leaves behind his wife, Barbara; children, Andrew, Kelly and Brandon; brothers, Bruce Yanoshek of Cincinnati, Ohio and Mark (Laurie) Yanoshek of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister, Sioux (Jeff) Payne of Grove City, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Steven and Shawn Yanoshek of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Karen Crouch of Huntington, West Virginia, Mitch Reichard and Melissa Steiner of Orville, Ohio; aunts, Marian Edgar, Inez Gessling and Kathy Gessling all of Mansfield, Ohio and Jean Holt, Danville, Ohio; many loving cousins, family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a college fund for his children set up at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. A memorial service will be held at Central Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 8 at 4 p.m. Following the service there will be a celebration of Dave's life at Kincaid Park Chalet. Friends and acquaintances are invited to both. Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries