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David J. Powers

David Powers Obituary

David J. Powers April 2, 1947 - July 13, 2008 Born in San Luis Obispo and a long time resident of San Jose, passed away unexpectedly at age 61. Son of the late Leigh and Elizabeth Powers, Dave is survived by his sister Verleigh of Amelia, Ohio, his brother Pat (and his wife Adrienne) of Woodside, his brother Rich (and his wife Charlene) of Sebastopol, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Dave was the founder and Chairman of David J. Powers & Associates, Inc., an environmental and planning consulting firm in San Jose. Since its inception in 1972, the firm has been responsible for environmental review on a wide range of public and private development projects in Santa Clara County. Dave believed that environmental review was an incredibly important service he could provide to cities and the community at large. His straightforward honesty and personal integrity characterized his environmental documents and business practices. Dave recognized very early that telling the truth as clearly as possible was his role. Dave believed not only in creating a company working toward environmental protection, but also of creating a family-like atmosphere of support and caring. Dave had a generous spirit, was quick with a compliment and a smile, and he will be greatly missed. A botanist by training, Dave loved the outdoors, natural and man-made. He hiked the Sierras and climbed many of the tallest mountains in the world, including Everest and McKinley. Recently, he participated in cross country ski races all over the world. Dave was a practicing member of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives for 35 years. He was a lay minister and the leader of the San Jose meditation group for over 28 years. A Memorial service to celebrate Dave's life will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Oaks at Oak Hill Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an endowment for an annual scholarship that has been established in Dave's name at San Jose State University. Details are available at www.davidjpowers.com.

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Published by San Jose Mercury News on Jul. 19, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for David Powers

Sponsored by J. Pat Powers.

18 Entries

Brenda McNabb

July 11, 2024

I am thinking about Dave as the anniversary of his passing is just a few days away. I had the honor of working at his company for a year or so and from that we developed a great friendship that lasted for years beyond. I still feel an absence in my life without Dave here but I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to call him friend and share many great experiences with him.

Pat Powers

July 13, 2023

Though time has passed, I still miss Dave greatly. In my mind, he was a much larger than life figure. He lived according to his values and accomplished so much. My admiration of him continues to grow.

Gyojin Cherlin

July 13, 2021

Still missing our dear David. Forty years ago this week he offered Mokurai and me, little Sarah and newborn Clement shelter in his home overnight to protect our fragile newborn from insecticides sprayed from helicopters over our home in Palo Alto. His kindness will never be forgotten.

October 26, 2018

David, my teacher, my brother, my friend. You are in my heart each moment. Through love you taught me to sit quietly and hear the still small voice. To find that which is.

Breathe in
Breathe out
Do only good

Breathe in
Breathe out
Do only good for others

Breathe in
Breathe out
Only go straight

Kathleen Mears

July 20, 2016

Will forever miss you sweetheart. Folks are not likely to ever forget. Sooooooo, we just breathe. and we try not to be so hard on ourselves. Much love.yep time to go paddling.

December 19, 2015

I had not visited this site in a while, and I see last summer someone posted still missing Dave.
And I too still miss him and think of him often. He is one of the people I admire most. I've learned things about him since his passing, some of which I found surprising and some of which I sincerely disbelieve. I think some of his friends took poetic license to create memories, but that is fine too. He had a great influence on many of us.
Pat.

Anita Gyojin Cherlin

July 21, 2015

Still missing you, David.

September 15, 2010

September 11, 2010

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of traveling to the Eastern Sierras with Dave’s and my older brothers, Rich and Pat, for the purpose of spreading Dave’s ashes in one of the places Dave had often enjoyed. We traveled together and arrived at the beginning of our hike into the Eastern Sierras on a beautiful late summer day. As we hiked into the mountains Dave loved so much, the quiet beauty and energy was enveloping. The wildflowers were blooming like I have never seen before. Walking up the mountain, I was missing the opportunity for us to share all of this with Dave.

After hiking for a while, we stopped for our first brief rest. In the deep shade of the trees, I caught my breath and enjoyed being refreshed by the gentle breeze cooling us. As we were turning to resume our walk upward, taking turns carrying Dave’s ashes, I was concerned that I would not be up to the physical demands of the hike. Unexpectedly, my concern was brushed aside. I heard from Dave. As he often did in this life, he shared his love and his reassurance that with each of our best effort, things will be as they should. I never believed in being directly “spoken to” from the hereafter until this moment. I felt shock at the experience, and great peace from Dave’s spirit.

Pat, Rich, and I continued up the mountain. As we approached the top of the tree line, we saw a beautiful spot to release Dave’s physical remains to the beauty of the Sierras that Dave loved. We climbed the remaining distance to the chosen spot, and then stopped to rest. When I turned to observe the view, I was amazed. A stunning panorama of mountains and sky filled in by a beautiful wildflower meadow was all around us. We sat with the beauty, and then lovingly, we released Dave’s ashes to the Sierra and the breeze.

Dave lived life with love, with joy, and with adventure. He painted the canvas of his life with vibrant colored brush strokes. In his lifetime, none of us saw all of the many colors. Though Dave’s ashes have been released, and his spirit is certainly free in the bright dharma light of the hereafter, I will never let go of the love he shared with so many of us. It is all around us like the gentle breeze on that late summer afternoon. Sit quietly, and feel it.

Pat Powers

September 5, 2010

A couple weeks ago Dave's older brother Rich, his sister Verleigh, and I took Dave's ashes to the Mammoth Lakes area to scatter them in the mountains. We climbed toward the Muir Trail (Thank you Chris for telling us where Dave loved to hike) and found a beautiful spot to let the ashes blow away in the wind in the Sierras.
It took us a long time (two years now) to do this, in part because we are great procrastinators but also because we didn't want to finally let go. I don't think Rich, Verleigh and I had all been away together since Dave was with us in the Fall in Yellowstone seven or eight years ago.
It was nice for us all to be away together.
There had been eerie signs that it was past time to release his ashes. I don't necessarily believe in that sort of thing, but you never know for sure, do you?
So on a warm sunny Saturday afternoon we tossed handfulls of his ashes on the wind. His ashes may be scattered in the Sierras, hopefully his spirit is free, but his influence on so many of us will be with us for the rest of our lives.

Anita Gyojin Cherlin

August 29, 2008

David was a dear friend to me and my family for 30 years. His offering of his home for our weekly Zen Buddhist Meditation Group meetings was a gift of enormous benefit and merit for me and for others. The last time I saw him, he was standing at his door as I thanked him, as I did every week, for his generosity. The boyish graciousness of his words and his smile will stay with me always.

Linda Ladwig

August 6, 2008

I met Dave in 1985 when I applied for a job at David Powers & Associates. Dave was one of those special people who unexpectedly step into your life and then you quickly realize how blessed you were to have him in your life. Dave was a great leader, mentor, and dear friend. A part of Dave's legacy moves on each and every day within me and I am sure it is the same for everyone whose life was touched by him. Dave will be deeply missed and memories of him will be ever-lasting.

Pat Powers

August 5, 2008

David was my brother and someone I greatly love. He was a larger than life figure in many ways--in his accomplishments, in his joy of living, in his great sense of humor, and in the lives of so many of us that he helped and had a great impact on. He lived a great life and lived it the way he wanted. So many of us will miss him so much.

Cheryl Rankin

July 21, 2008

David was one of the most influential people in my life. Having had a 20 year relationship with him I always found him to be extremely intelligent, kind, honest and supportive to all his friends and family. David and I remained friends although I saw him infrequently over the last 10 years. He has always, and will always be in my heart. He lived an adventure filled, successful life. I will miss him greatly.

Sue Estes

July 21, 2008

Having worked with Dave and the other wonderful people at DJP & Associates, I knew him as a fun-loving man with incredible integrity. Dave created a great place to work. His cherished memory will live on. He will be missed.

Rob Genest

July 20, 2008

My thoughts go out to all those grieving for Dave. I knew Dave in the mid 1960's through my brother Mike Genest. When he arrived at our house he was always full of energy and fun to be around.

Who knows, maybe I will see you again Dave. I hope so.

Debbie Cauble

July 19, 2008

Dave was a consummate professional and an awesome person. I learned much from him and although I have seen him only infrequently in the last 10 years it didn't feel that way because Dave was not someone you forgot, or forgot about. What an honor to have known him - I'll never forget his competence, his joy in living, his integrity, and his sense of humor.

My thoughts are with everyone who was close to him. Let's all stop from time to time to think - what would Dave do?

Paul Miller

July 19, 2008

I have known Dave Powers since he and I were in Junior High. He had a major impact on my growing up as a teenager. I will miss him greatly.

Chris Carneghi

July 19, 2008

Dave was a very close personal friend of mine for 35 years. We shared much and I will miss him greatly.

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