David E. Thorpe

Shortly after his 65th birthday on the afternoon of June 9, 2023, David succumbed to Erdheim-Chester Disease and died, while the Byrd's Turn Turn Turn played on, wife, Laura and sister, Eileen were at his side. David was born in Seattle and grew up on Evergreen Pt. Rd. in Medina, on the poor side as he called it, as they had no view. He loved the Pacific Northwest and never wanted to leave. His sister-in-law, Arlene, dubbed him the Evergreen boy. He was a fun and caring man, full of life with a huge smile and an infectious laugh.

Notes from his friend Tom: "Growing up Dave was a good friend to many. His childhood was filled with pick-up games or hanging out at fair-weather park or the school play yard down the block. Dave and friends would often ride bikes to the little Medina store a couple miles away to buy candy or ice cream. More adventures came, they would ride into Bellevue (a different Bellevue than today). Some of Dave's favorite times were endless summer days spent on lake Washington at the Henderson's and Elliott's beach fronts, where he and friends swam and played all summer, inventing games to play while swimming in the lake.

Later those friends started a garage band in high school they called Mobius. Spent nights playing and hanging out. Late night burger runs to Herfy's and to Tower Records. Dave was a good basketball player and played center on his Bellevue High School team. Dave would continue playing bass in college in a band with some of his college friends. He loved music, both playing and listening to it." Tom Henderson, Steve Elliott and David were lifelong friends.

David, Nigel and Bob lived on a houseboat while attending the UW in Seattle, WA. Notes from his friend Nigel Braizer: "The houseboat allowed Dave and I to introduce each other to each other's music. Dave took me deep into the Beatles, old Fleetwood Mac, CSN/CSNY, while I introduced the Cars, Cheap Trick and other "New Wave" acts. We listened to tunes ALL the time." Nigel continued his friendship with David. We visited Washington, DC and then on to see Nigel and his family. Nigel visited often from Maryland. David did loved music, he could name every band that played on the radio when asked even 12 days prior to his death. Recently his favorite band was the Foo Fighters. David loved movies, travel, the outdoors, snow and water skiing and hiking with friends, Laura and biking with Eileen. Spent many summers on Lake Coeur d'Alene at his sister, Eileen's cabin on Powderhorn Bay. David also enjoyed reading later on in life, from Lewis and Clark (his favorites), history on railroads, to the Joe Pickett series by CJ Box.

David met his wife, Laura in 1995 and married her in 2000. They lived in Edmonds, WA for 28 years. They enjoyed many weekend nights with friends, including a yearly night which you had to be voted in by David and Anna Marie to join for Laura's Lasagna. David worked for Albertson's for over 46 years. Mr. F.E. Lockett wrote to Boise headquarters on behalf of David after David assisted him, "David made me feel good about shopping at an Albertson store, and made me feel that I wanted to come back. He should be commended."

He was preceded in death by his mother Gertrude and father Warren. He leaves behind his wife, Laura; sister Eileen, many cousins from CDA ID, California, North Carolina, Florida and many friends. We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at UW Northwest Hospital in Seattle, WA, for his care during his final days, especially Dr. Bui. "It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives." (by Samuel Johnson) David will be sorely missed by many.

A small celebration of his life will be held in the summer of 2024. In his honor, please consider donating to this rare cancer at Erdheim-Chester Disease: https://erdheim-chester.org/.