David Munson Selleck

DAVID MUNSON SELLECK Dave, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2004, at his home in Fresno, with his daughters at his side. Dave was born on July 12, 1913, in Bitterwater Valley of Southern San Benito County to Frank and Daisy Selleck at the ranch homesteaded by his grandfather in 1872. He attended Bitterwater School, took over running the cattle ranch at 14, and graduated from King City High School in 1930. He worked throughout the state with California's Department of Fish and Game. After WWII he returned to the Selleck Ranch and established Bitterwater as a primary research station for DF&G especially in Quail research, and helped shape the DF&G's commitment to non-game wildlife. In 1952 he transferred to Fresno, to become the District's Game Management Supervisor. He retired after 40 years of service with the state. In 1943 he married Helen Topharn, his partner in work, home and travel for 58 years until her death in 2001. Together they shared a love for nature be it; at their ranch in Bitterwater, gardening in their yard in Fresno, traveling the world to remote destinations and sharing their adventures and findings with others, or helping establish and working with environmental groups. They were founding members of the Fresno's chapters of Audubon Society and the Three Forest Interpretive Association. Two Daughters, Sylvia Selleck of Santa Cruz and Linda Selleck of Fresno as well as a large number of extended family and friends survive him. A Memorial gathering will be at a later date at the family ranch.