David J. Colthorp

1955 - 2024

David J Colthorp passed away peacefully due to natural causes at his home on November 7th, 2024.

Dave was born in Port Angeles, Washington, on February 18th, 1955. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Washington Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and Port Angeles High School.

Dave enlisted in the US Army in 1972 with his friends, Sonny Ritchie and Mark Romero. They supported each other while traveling on different assignments, including a tour in South Korea.

In October 1974, Dave married Cynthia (Cindy) Doerge. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year.

After being discharged from the Army in 1975, Dave and Cindy returned to the Olympic Peninsula, where he worked in the logging industry and at the Crown Zellerbach Mill. In 1978, he took a seasonal job working for The Olympic National Park at Staircase. It was a dream come true. A few years later, he was hired as a permanent employee in the maintenance division. He retired from Olympic National Park in 2010 as a supervisor. He never had any desire to go to a different park. Saying, "You can't beat paradise. Why go anywhere else?"

Dave's love for the outdoors was very apparent from an early age. The National Park Service was a perfect fit. He had many fond memories of his adventures in the backcountry, encountering wildlife and beautiful scenic views.

Dave was a skilled carpenter, electrician, plumber, and mentor to many. He felt grateful for all the incredible opportunities and experiences he had working for the park and the fantastic coworkers he shared them with.

Dave said the best thing that ever happened to him was when his daughter Rachel and grandson Will were born. Dave shared his love for the outdoors, wisdom, and humble nature when spending time together. He supported them and was involved with their activities, developing a motto, "Experiences over things."

Dave constantly expressed gratitude for life, saying, "I could go out tomorrow with a smile on my face."

Dave's legacy is passed to his wife Cindy, daughter Rachel, grandson Will, father-in-law Kenneth, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of the life of Dave Colthorp; Husband, Pa, Oompa Dave, Uncle Dave, and forever best friend, will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 14th, 2024, at the Crescent Grange in Joyce. A potluck will follow.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dave's memory to habitat Clallam at Habitatclallam.org or mailed to P.O. Box 1479, Port Angeles, WA, 98363