David Birge

BIRGE, David K. (Age 78) David Kenneth Birge passed away in the Spokane Valley April 9, 2010. He was born in Spokane on July 6, 1931 to ElNora A. Jacobs andEdward W. Birge. The extended Birge families were early pioneers in Lincoln County in the 1800's and many family members were from the Harrington,Davenport, Odessa and the Cedonia areas. Dave's family lived in Colville while he was growing up. He graduated from Colville High School in 1950. He played high school sports and at the age of 16 earned his pilot's license. He was always very proud of that accomplishment. Dave was voted the best looking student by his senior class and was given the nickname "Tuffy". Dave served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged. He married Geraldine N. Ross of Chewelah in 1952, they were later divorced in 1981 after 28 years of marriage. They had four children: Ken, Douglas, Rebecca and Deanna. Dave became one of the best heavy equipment operators in the Pacific Northwest and belonged to International Union of Operating EngineersUnion Local 370. He worked on several big projects that changed our local landscape. He recalled these with good memories, the I-90 Freeway project, Highway 2 project, upgrading the Greenacres Irrigation District and theALCOA plant in Addy, WA. He worked for Inland Asphalt for many yearspaving many of our local streets, roads and highways. His most memorable construction project was when he was hired to work on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Project for Aleyska Pipeline Company as a crane operator. He worked in Alaska for three years and ran one of the largest cranes on the line. He worked, above the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Range, putting the pipeline over Atigun Pass; he also worked at Thompson Pass which is a 2,805 foot-high gap in the Chugach Mountains. In addition, Dave work out of Camp Chandalar and Cap Deitrich . He fell in love with Alaska and spoke of his experiences often. He always wanted to go back there; unfortunately he never got the opportunity. Dave's hobbies included boating, fishing and collecting. He never passed up a good garage sale. He is survived by his loving family, sons and daughters-in-law: Ken andRita Birge of Hauser Lake, ID. Douglas "Scott" and Maria Birge of theSpokane Valley; daughter and sons-in-law: Rebecca "Becky" and Lewie Cooper of Wenatchee, WA and Deanne "Dee" and David Sasse of Post Falls, ID; grandchildren: Amy Birge, Ken and (Sara) Birge, Casey, Josh and Chelsie Cooper, Andy Sasse and David Birge; great-grandchildren: Jack, Ben and Owen Dewitt and Eva Cooper. He is also survived by his sister NormaRhodes of Colorado and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward W. and ElNora A. Birge and his brother Edward K. Birge. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM, Friday, April 16, 2010 at ENGLISH FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, ID. Please sign David's guest registry and view online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com