David E. Chambers

1942 - 2008

David E. Chambers, 66 of Wilder, died at a Boise hospital on Oct. 25, 2008, after a six-month battle with lung cancer. His wife and close friends were at his side. Military honors were held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery, under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, (208) 459-3629.
Dave was born Feb. 24, 1942, at Eugene, Ore., to Charles and Jean Earl Chambers. He graduated from Willamette High School in 1960. He married Nancy Jobb in 1960. They had one son, Ron, in 1963. Nancy passed away in 1978.
Dave joined the Air Force in 1961 and served for 22 years to include assignments in Greece and Okinawa during the Vietnam War while he supported an infirmary at Kadena Air Station in Okinawa as a medic. While stationed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Dave met Teri (Astrid) and they were married in 1973. He helped raise her two children, Chris and Jennifer Johnson. While living in Montana, stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, he received their award, "Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year."
With orders to move to Alaska, the family, now including Ron and Teri's mother, Evelyn, drove the Alaska-Canada Highway arriving on Oct. 28, 1978. The family lived in Eagle River until the spring of 1985. Dave retired from the Air Force while stationed at Elmendorf Air Force base and moved on to his second and much-loved career with the State of Alaska Department of Corrections.
He achieved the rank of SGT, supervising crews at a pre-trial facility in Kenai, AK for 15 years. With his previous USAF time, Dave retired with a full 20 year retirement. Dave and Teri continued to live in the home they built on the Kenai River until they decided on one more assignment (of their choice) to "The Lower 48" to find a little easier and warmer lifestyle. Since moving to Wilder in the summer of 2005, David made his mark, as he always had, wherever he went.
Dave loved hunting, fishing, spending time with his hunting dogs and helping Teri in the garden. He could make anything old work and look as if it were new. He treasured his last visit to Alaska where all three children with their families gathered for a last visit.
Dave is survived by his wife of 35 years, Teri; children, Ron (Sonya), Jennifer (Greg) and Chris (Rose); grandchildren, Nikayla, Paul, Catherine, Helen, Victoria, Peter Jon and Alex; siblings, Buddy and Katie; Aunt Viv; and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Chambers, who died when Dave was 12; mother and stepfather, Jean and Louie Townley; and beloved mother-in-law, Evelyn.
Dave is well-remembered for his kindness, generosity and high standards in his work ethics. He will be missed by all those whose lives he has touched.
He felt privileged to be treated for his cancer at Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) in Nampa and would want to thank all from the bottom of his heart. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Foundation for Research in Dave's name.