David Minedew

David Joseph Minedew

March 23rd, 1942

June 10, 2015

David Minedew, 73, passed away at home in Reno, surrounded by his loving family. A third generation Nevadan and member of a Comstock family, Dave was born in Reno, Nevada and was a life long resident. Dave attended Mt. Rose Elementary School, as did his mother, and Billinghurst Junior High School.

He was a graduate of Reno High School and a Class President in his junior and senior years. He won the Orion Award and was Commissioner of Music. During the summers, he was a firefighter and later State Fire Dispatcher for the Bureau of Land Management. A graduate of the University of Nevada, he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, Sagers, and Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. While at U of N, Dave courted Sunny Scudder and they were married on July 4, 1964 after their graduation. Fifty years later, they were feted as the Grand Marshals of the annual 4th of July Parade in Belmont, Nevada, where they loved to celebrate their "Independence Days". Minedew was past Director of Environmental Health Services for the Washoe County District Health Department and Chairman of the State Board of Registered Environmental Health Specialists. He was Supervisor of the Department of Defense Branch of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and a Biology teacher at Carson High School. He co-owned Environmental Services Ltd. and owned Minedew Enterprises. He was a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Realtor, and Consultant. He taught classes for the Nevada Real Estate Division, Realty 500 and was a guest lecturer at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Dave was a member of the Nevada Public Health Association, The Nevada Environmental Health Association, The T-Bird Club, the Westerners, GOD Club, Historic Reno Preservation Society, Caughlin Club, Reno Musicians Union and The Retired Public Employees of Nevada. He was a past President of the Washoe County Management Club and The Reno Jaguar Club. He was also Treasurer of the Zephyr Cove Property Owners Association and the Reno Jaguar Club. He was an original trustee of the Reno High School Alumni Association and contributed efforts in having the Reno High School Alumni Center built. His interests included boating, fishing, restorations, genealogy, history, camping, cooking, and socializing with friends and acquaintances. Dave loved conversation, cocktails and campfires. He wanted to be remembered as a considerate person. Dave was preceded in death by his father Gilbert J. Minedew, beloved mother, Gwendolyn T. Minedew, and brother, Gilbert D. (Dan) Minedew. Surviving are his wife Sunny, son Christopher J. Minedew, (Julie) grandsons Benton David Minedew and Nathan James Minedew. He is also survived by niece Debra Effenberger (Richard) and nephew Lynn Minedew (Shelly) all of Reno. He also has two nieces, Tina Tyson and Elizabeth Klingler, (Dave) sister-in-Law Susan Francis and several grand nieces and nephews.

"As long as you remember me, I am alive." djm In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "The Reno High School Class of 1960 David J. Minedew Scholarship Fund; Reno High School, 395 Booth St. Reno, Nevada 89509. This scholarship benefits those wishing a career in the Biological Sciences. Services will be held at The Mountain View Mortuary 425 Stoker Ave. Reno, Nevada on Tuesday, June 16th at 10:00 am, followed by a reception. Please join us in celebrating Dave's life.