David Chambers

David L. Chambers passed away Saturday, March 5, 2005, at his Paso Robles home surrounded by family members.

David's ashes will be scattered over beaches at La Jolla, Topanga, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Mt. Sopris, Colo., by friends and family members.

David was born Dec. 29, 1928, in Portsmouth, Va. Shortly thereafter, he moved with his family to San Diego, where he was raised and lived most of his life. he attended Saint Augustine High School San Diego and Price College Texas. His employment at Consolidated Vultee Aviation, later Convair, started his involvement with the International Association of Machinists (IAM). He was elected to the position of business agent for his local in 1960 and, later, president of District 50 of the IAM for San Diego County.

There, David spearheaded employment for paroled offenders and more vigorous workplace safety programs and inspections, particularly for shipyards. He helped other unions organize and supported the fledgling Farmworkers Union, headed by Ceasar Chavez. His interest was in labor law.

Throughout much of his life, David was active in California State politics. A democrat, he assisted many candidates in election for public offices, including Governors Pete Wilson and Jerry Brown. He served the State of California under Governor Jerry Brown as chief of safety and was later named to the Youth Authority Board. He was also a private businessman and travelled extensively in Southeast Asia and the U.S. He devoted much time for many years supporting reconstruction efforts and refugee issues in Beirut, Lebanon and Kabul, Afghanistan. He divided his time between residences in Topanga Canyon and Paso Robles.

David's first love was the ocean. He began skin diving in the early 1950s and was one of the pioneer SCUBA divers in Southern California. He was a

charter member of the San Diego Delta Divers, and he was invited to accompany members of the Bottom Scratchers deep-dive club on some of their dives.

David was one of the first SCUBA instructors in San Diego. He was also an avid body surfer and body boarder, passing his love of the ocean on to all his children. He was often seen off the beach of Topanga with his daughter, Kathleen, wave watching.

His wife, Jacqueline of Paso Robles; children, Tracy, Mary and David Jr. of Aspen; Michelle of Ojai; and Kathleen of Paso Robles; grandchildren, Jesse, Joshua, Dylan and Nick; brother, Maurice; and sisters, Mildred of San Diego and Mary of Virginia Beach, Va., also survive him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Malibu Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, P.O. Box 953, Malibu, CA 90265.

Thank you, Hospice Partners of the Central Coast and St. Rose Church.