David D. Whaley

David D. Whaley June 22, 1957 - April 4, 2012 David D. Whaley, 54, the longest-serving president in the history of the Idaho AFL-CIO, died at home in Meridian on April 4 after fighting a strong battle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves his beloved wife of 33 years, Tami, of Meridian; daughters Amy Henderson (Justin), Nampa; Desiree Bennett, Nampa; and Michelle Whaley, Nampa; grandchildren Ethan Bennett, 10, Nampa; Rheanna Bennett, 9, Glendale, AZ; Bradlee Bennett, 8, Glendale, AZ; and Mikayla Henderson, 1, Nampa; father James Whaley, Clarkston, WA; brother Dan Whaley (Patty), Clarkston, WA; uncle Larry Long, Irrigon, OR; father and mother-in-law Bud and Helen Berlinghoff, Clarkston, WA; nieces Denise Whaley, Moses Lake, WA and Ashley Whaley, Kamiah, ID; and grandniece Tearini Steward, 4 months, Kamiah, ID. Dave will also be missed by special companion Cocoa, his dog, and Snickers whom he knew as his "damn cat." Dave was predeceased by his mother, Janet Whaley, Clarkston, WA; paternal grandmother Elmo Bloom, Hermiston, OR; maternal grandparents Phil and Margaret Long, Umatilla, OR; and aunt Tery Long, Clarkston, WA. Dave Whaley was born on June 22, 1957, in Pendleton, OR, to James and Janet Whaley. The family later moved to Clarkston, WA when his father took employment with the Potlatch Corporation in Lewiston. Dave graduated from Clarkston High School in 1975. Upon graduation he joined his father in working at the Potlatch Mill where he specialized in running a "debarker" machine. On June 10, 1978, Dave married Tami Berlinghoff in Clarkston. They would have celebrated their 34th year of marriage in two months. Dave would work at Potlatch for 22 years. In 1991, he started a contemporaneous career as a labor leader. He was elected president of Local 3-364, International Woodworkers of America, at the huge Potlatch Mill. The IWA is now known as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Only one year later, in 1992, he was elected vice president of the Idaho AFL-CIO. In 1996, he moved to Boise to assume the presidency of the statewide labor organization, taking the place of Randy Ambuel who resigned to return to his trade as an electrician. In 1999, Mr. Whaley was formally elected as president of the Idaho State AFL-CIO. He would be reelected in 2003, 2007 and 2011. A natural leader, Dave Whaley's rise in the labor movement was inevitable. Smart and well-spoken, Dave took the time to read about and fully understand the issues facing labor. He was a good listener and knew what he was doing before he spoke or acted. He was a skilled negotiator but was also a consensus builder. Well-liked by his friends but equally respected by his adversaries, he led the main statewide labor organization in a professional manner. At the same time, he saw his responsibilities as extending to those who were not unionized. To Dave Whaley, all working people are labor's responsibility. Dave was particularly interested in programs involving unemployment insurance and workers' compensation. As AFL-CIO president, he partnered with business leaders and the Idaho Department of Employment to reform unemployment insurance. In 2001, he became an original member of the Idaho Industrial Commission's Advisory Committee on Workers' Compensation, serving as its second chairman after prominent Boise lawyer Jack Barrett and immediately preceding Idaho Hospital Association director Steve Millard. After moving to Boise in 1996 to take over the reins of the state AFL-CIO, Dave became a die-hard BSU football fan, attending every home game he could and traveling to many out-of-town games. He became an enthusiastic member of the Bronco Athletic Club where he got to know, and admire, Coach Chris Peterson. Dave loved being outdoors, weather it was tending his garden, manicuring his yard or just enjoying camping and fishing with family and friends. Dave was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, following his father into the Clarkston Eagles Lodge, and later joining Boise Lodge 115. At the time of his death, he was serving as vice president of his Boise lodge. There will be two celebrations of Dave Whaley's life. The first is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at Boise Eagles Lodge 115 located at 7025 Overland Road. The second is scheduled for one week later, Saturday, April 21, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Eagles Lodge located at 505 Maple Street, Clarkston, WA. Cards and condolences may be directed to Tami Whaley, % Idaho State AFL-CIO, PO Box 2238, Boise, ID 83701. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations are encouraged to the Grace Carroll Rocky Mountain Labor School, c/o Utah State AFL-CIO, 2261 Redwood Street, Suite M, Salt Lake City, UT 84119.