David Carpenter, 86

David J. Carpenter, 86, beloved husband and father, was at home with his family when he passed into the arms of his Lord on Aug. 23, 2014.

Dave was born on Jan. 21, 1928, in Oakland, Calif., to David W. and Irene Carpenter. He graduated from Clover Park High School in Tacoma in 1946, where he lettered in track and football. Dave attended Washington State University where he lettered in track and joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity; he graduated with a degree in Architectural Engineering in 1951.

Dave joined the Air Force ROTC and later attended Communications Officer School, graduating with a crypto clearance. In 1952, he joined the 99th Armament and Electronics Squadron at Fairchild AFB in Spokane. He served eight years in the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Captain.

While at Fairchild, Dave became reacquainted with the sister of a childhood friend, and married Janet Elizabeth Coble on Aug. 15, 1953. Dave and Janet recently celebrated 61 years of marriage.

They welcomed their son Gregory in 1955, daughter Gwendolyn (Wendy) in 1957, and daughter Jody in 1967. Dave was a loving and devoted husband and father who is already greatly missed.

In 1953 Dave began working for engineer Jack Reeves in Spokane, Wash. Dave was one of only 79 (out of 226 applicants) to pass the four-day Washington Architectural exam, receiving his Architects' license in 1957. He went on to pass the Electrical Engineering exam in 1962, and the Mechanical Engineering exam in 1964.

In 1966 the family moved to Coeur d'Alene, where Dave joined the architectural/engineering firm of Bellamy, Bratvold and Carpenter as a partner. Dave established his own firm, Carpenter Engineering in 1970. He was licensed to practice in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Utah as an electrical and mechanical engineer.

In 1973, Dave received the coveted Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Regional Edwin F. Guth Memorial Award for his outstanding lighting design for Mead Senior High School. In 1978, the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRE) recognized Dave as Engineer of the Year. In 1983 David was recognized by the Inland Empire Chapter of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) as the Engineer of the Year. Active in IES since 1964, he served on the Board of Directors as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice President, and then as President in 1974.

Involved in the Boy Scots, Dave achieved the rank of Eagle Scout while a high school freshman at Lewis and Clark and later served as Scoutmaster.

Active in his community, Dave served 16 years on the board of directors for the Coeur d'Alene Homes retirement facility, and more than 10 years on the Kootenai County Fair Board. A long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church, Dave served as Deacon and a member of the choir and men's quartet. He also participated in several missions to Mexico where he helped build churches.

An active member of the Coeur d'Alene Rotary club since 1972, Dave served as their 61st President and as Secretary. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and managed the club's foreign exchange student program for 15 years.

Dave is survived by his wife, Janet, of Coeur d'Alene; son Greg of Los Angeles; daughter Wendy (Tim) of Coeur d'Alene; and daughter Jody (Craig) of Olympia, Wash.

Dave and his family are grateful for the wonderful support and care provided by the staffs of Life Care of Coeur d'Alene, Comfort Keepers, and Hospice of North Idaho.

The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene; reception to follow. Memorials can be made to Hospice of North Idaho in Dave's name.

Please visit Dave's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com and share your memories and thoughts.