David M. Daugharty

David M. Daugharty

David M. Daugharty, a man of boundless curiosity and the capacity to give, died on June 12, 2025, at his home in Cheney, Washington, surrounded by family.

A complete obituary for Dave can be found ay www.cheneyfuneral.com and his ashes will be spread next spring in his beloved Clark Fork Valley.

Dave was born May 27, 1934, in Sandpoint, Idaho, and raised by the community of Clark Fork, Idaho, after his father was killed in 1945. Born during the Great Depression, with a boyhood during World War II, Dave learned resilience, sacrifice, work ethic and the importance of community often stated he was born at the perfect time.

He had his first date with Mary Henderson Daugharty on Valentine's Day 1951 and this propelled them into their 71-year adventure together. Their marriage was filled with passion, fun, learning, traveling, and building a shared life with their two sons and their families.

Dave loved teaching and his career exposed him thousands of innovative and exciting perspectives that kept his curiosity burning. He delighted in teaching formally and learning from the communities of Delta Junction, Alaska, Deary, Idaho, Tver, Russia, and Cheney, Washington.

After 42 years in the classroom - 31 of those years at Eastern Washington University - Dave spent the next 29 years in his quest to "learn it all before he died."

He appreciated people: their stories, their smiles, the comfort of their embraces and perhaps most of all, what they had to say. He connected with people on five different continents, celebrated their uniqueness, defended their right to humanity, and expanded his great capacity to care for others.

Now we celebrate David Daugharty as we knew him: with joy, humor, and great affection. His family of Tim, Kim Greer, Scott, Patty, Conor, Katie, Piper, Quinn and a passel of nephews, nieces and cousins invite you to celebrate the "Old Man" Dave Daugharty on Oct. 11, 2025, in Cheney, Washington at Hargreaves Hall at high noon.

The stories we share about Dave's humanity, his journey, playfulness, and courageous audacity will be an opportunity for us to create an epic of our own: to honor Dave and welcome each other as kin in the tribe Dave would be proud to belong to.

In lieu of flowers please donate to: American Humanist Society or the Cheney Spokane Ice Age Floods Institute.