David Ralph Luke
David R. Luke, 59, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2009. David was born and raised in Spokane, Washington and graduated from Shadle High School in 1968. He went on to attend Eastern Washington University where he pursued a degree in art and music. In 1975, he moved to Seattle where he and his wife, Glenda, have resided ever since. David later studied musical instrument repair at Renton Technical College. He ran a business repairing and selling musical instruments where his talents and love of music served many people over the past 30 years.
David was a passionate and kind person who had a special ability to connect with people from all walks of life. 
He had a lifelong interest in anything that had to do with music. He enjoyed playing the flute and saxophone. He had a great appreciation for music of all types, especially classical. He also had an incredible green thumb and took pleasure in taking care of his plants and working out in the yard. David loved to be outside surrounded by nature and was connected to the beauty of the universe. In the past few years, he had become an avid walker and looked forward to his morning walks at Lincoln Park with his dearly loved dog, Mickey.
One of the things we will miss the most about our beloved David was his wonderful, quick-witted sense of humor. He had a keen ability to see the funny side of life, and his hearty laugh will resound in our hearts forever. We have been blessed to know such a unique person, and he will be missed deeply.
David is survived by his wife, Glenda; daughter, Soleil; brothers, Russell and Kevan (Melissa), niece, Tiffani; and his nephews, Joshua, Dalton and Elliot. His parents, Ralph and Doreen Luke, preceded him in death.
38 Responses to “David Ralph Luke”
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We are so very sorry for your loss. We hope that if you ever need anything, you will let us know. Soleil is one of my best friends and is like family and we would do anything for her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
All of our love,
Nic & Jennie Hanson
What a beautiful obituary. I can see now where Soleil gets her great sense of humor and wit from. We are incredibly sorry for your loss and this difficult time for your family. You are daily in our thoughts and prayers and of course if you need anything just say the words.
In friendship,love and support,
Angie and Jason McMahon
John 14:1-4
It is with much sadness I learned of the passing of “Dr. Luke”. My heart goes out to his family. Although I only knew Dave through his work, he always made me feel like a old friend that was taking delight in letting me in a new secret.
Our sympathies to the family during this difficult time.
We were so sad to hear of David’s passing. Soleil and Glenda, please know that we are thinking of you and sending our love!
Ronda, Carlos, Marissa and Manny Herrera
We were so sad to hear of David’s passing. Soleil and Glenda, please know that we are thinking of you and sending our love!
Ronda, Carlos, Marissa and Manny Herrera.
It has been many years since I have seen David, and recently learned that he had a business near West Seattle. He was a bright and talented guy, and will be missed by those who knew him. I remember he once said to me, referring metaphorically to life “I want to eat the whole cake!” I’ve often thought of adopting the same motto. He may have passed before his time, but he lived a full life.
Glenda, Soleil and family,
My heart goes out to you right now with the loss of your husband and your dad. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult and challenging time.
Gandhi once said “No man’s life can be encompassed in one telling. There is no way to give each year its allotted weight, to include each event, each person who helped shape a lifetime. What can be done is to be faithful in spirit to the record and try to find one’s way to the heart of a man.” Everything you shared about David was just a glimpse of who he was and the impact he had on so many people’s lives. I hope in the days ahead you are all able to sustain yourselves with the telling of stories and remembering the impact he had.
It is impossible to measure a life. One cannot put a value on a life or on the meaningful impact another person has on others. Just like our fingerprints no two lives are the same. My hope for the family and friends of David those that love you will be here for you to help and support you through the hard times ahead. If you need anything at any time I am here to help.
In compassion and with much love
Stephanie
A Loving Message From David Luke!
My condolences, Glenda and Soleil, on David’s passing. He was good people. I don’t know your belief system Glenda but what I’m going to say is meant to show the love and not spook you. I have a psychic friend who I’ve known for 25 years and she’s accurate so much of the time that I just take her at her word. She helped me and my family in so many ways. I’m grateful. I was talking with her the other day and asked about David. David comes into the picture. David is fine; he’s in a joyful place, is his words, and asked me to give you a message. He seemed like he was coming from a mountain with some yellow flowers and he wanted you to know how much he loved you and Soleil. Again, he didn’t want to spook you but he is the little bird who has tapped on your window. He’s also within a rainbow, but I didn’t really understand that one. He said he is also that loving presence that is felt as he sits in that chair he loved in the yard. He’s sending you unconditional love and I think that’s Spirituality at its best.
Glenda and Soleil, I’m glad I could pass this on. You
are dearly loved.
Doug
206 789 0479
Soleil,
Although I never had the opportunity to meet your father, I did know how much he loved music. I have been keeping him in my thoughts as I practice my guitar each day. I think I have played “Home on the Range” a hundred times.
I pray you and your mom find comfort in your family and each other.
Please contact me if there is anything I can do for you.
Your friend,
Terry
Dear Glenda,
I’ve never been so shocked in my life, I literally had to give my self a day or two to wake a couple mornings to make sure this was not a dream. Glenda, David was the kindest most energetic man my wife and I have ever known. He was a philosopher when it came to talking about life, people and death, of course he always said that passing away in your sleep was the ultimate goal in life. Good God, did David make my wife and I laugh…!
Connie and I always used to look forward to visit Dave in his basement to pick up instrument repairs, and get an ear-full of his spectacular talk about life and people.
Since the first day we met David in 2003 we knew he was not only a man of his word, but was truly inspirational. We know for a fact, that with out David’s genourous support and advise, our music business that we started that year, would have not survived. But Thanks to David and you, Glenda our music business now bristles with youthful musical activity everyday, on Mercer Island.
As you know David accompanied us to two music trade shows, NAMM in LA back in 2004 and NAMM in Nashville in 2006 and both times was an absolute joy.
Glenda, like you, Connie and I are in tears, cause we really miss him. Connie and I are just so happy that the last time we saw David in his shop, we both hugged and said good by.
Connie and I know, David will be fixing God’s musical instruments in heaven, we miss him so much.
Love,
Dan & Connie Sotelo
Soleil and Glenda,
Though I knew David only recently, it was immediately apparent that he was kind, inquisitive, generous, and quick to laugh. He will certainly be missed by those fortunate to have known him.
My deepest condolences,
Justin
How do you say goodbye to a brother? A mentor, a friend, a presence always in my life. He meant so much to me in so many ways. I will miss him and I will love him forever. And now all of the love in the world belongs to Glenda, Soleil and Mickey at this moment. So goodbye my beautiful David.
“Listen for me, I’ll be shouting. We’re going to make it all the way to the light.”
I love you David.
Kevan
Dear Glenda and Soleil:
It has taken me a bit to write to you and express my deepest sorrow at the loss of David. In the early years of knowing David (some 40 years ago now) he had become like a brother to me…I shared many happy times with him and he so enjoyed spending time with Tiffani and Joshua when they were little…It now feels so very unreal that our eyes and our ears will no longer experience his enjoyable presence…but there is no “was” in this. David is still as alive and engaging as ever in our hearts and minds, and he will always be We can see what we can see and know what we can know because of how he graced our lifes experiences..We need not, therefore, say “good-bye” but our ears will very much miss the music of his voice and laughter and our eyes the delight of his smile and appearance. Despite the deprivation of our senses, he is still with us, as welcome as he has always been and will always be. I am so very glad that I had the occasion to talk with him just a very few months ago..I so loved his laughter and how his face appeared with such joy when he was laughing. Our hearts will forever be with your, David, as you will forever be in our hearts..I (we) are blessed, may you be, too…My dear brother and friend…..Rest in peace. If you ever need to talk Glenda and Soliel I can be there for you….I love you both as I loved David….Jodi
The Whale
A vision of David,suspended,crosslegged in deep ocean. Long hair floating freely around his head,lit like an aura from shafts of sunlight.
His eyes wide open,shining with the mermaid of mirth.
In the depths,where common kindness occurs but also the wrath of the predator. Where an ancient,but forever new,language is sung with the transmigration of souls. Where each moment is the moment left to live.
With much love and tears,
Russell
Uncle David, I have had a hard time comming to this site. I was afraid it would make it real, make it true, then I would have to face it. I just can’t believe it IS real… that it IS true. You accepted me, you were the only one (you know what I’m talking about) I was your niece no matter what. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, thank you for saving me from the red ants when I was 5yrs old, thank you for dancing with me like nobody was watching at my wedding.
Time is something we think we have a lot of, in fact is something we really know nothing about. I thought we had more time. I will seize each day David to make time more valuable.
I will remember you, I will miss you, I will love you! No goodbye for me, just a so long for now.
Tiffani
Glenda and Soleil, I don’t even know what to say. I’m shocked. All I can find to say is that I have thought of the both of you every day since my Dad told me his brother, your husband and father had passed away. I took the time for granted and I’m ashamed. I would like to see you the next time I come to Seattle, I will contact you soon. I love you both.
Tiffani
My Uncle My friend….the laughter and the wind…The energy of moments captured in a city by the water and the sun sets…and I will always hear the music. My heart is awash in so many memories and I see Davids hand waving goodbye to me…and I still believe I can see him on my travels to Seattle. I will miss him so much…
With boundless love …dearest Soleil and Gleanda I will always be there for you.
I was shocked and saddened to learn just yesterday of David’s passing and wish to send my heartfelt condolences to Glenda and the rest of the family. I only met David less than a year ago and marveled at his warmth, depth and diversity of knowledge, candor, sincerity and sense of humor. I have to say that I hope all who knew him can find comfort in knowing that the world is undoubtedly a better place because David has been part of it.
I was lucky enough to have had several opportunities to interact with David by finally seeking some long-overdue saxophone repairs earlier this year. I will always remember a delightful conversation about music that I had with him, which led to a spontaneous session of playing for him a CD of 60’s jazz saxophone recordings, when all I had thought would take place was him dropping off my beautifully refurbished saxophone. On another occasion we had a delightfully animated–and not short!– discussion about music while, unbeknownst to me, poor Glenda was out in the car on a chilly day!
I gasped when I heard of David’s death because I felt like a newly found friend had been taken away, so I hope those who knew him far longer and better than I did will appreciate that the great positive energy he exuded was felt by all who had the privilege of meeting him. And despite only having known him briefly, I was able to learn that eliciting a laugh from David was not difficult, but was defintely rewarding!
Thanks for the opportunity to offer these remarks, and may David’s spirit inspire us all.
Dearest Glenda-
My heart is heavy for you during this time of loss. I know you loved David very much, it showed every time you talked about him and Soliel. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Wow! I’m so sorry to hear this news. David was the best woodwind instrument repairman I ever ran across. When you brought him any instrument for an overhaul it would come back factory fresh, perfectly restored. His standard for workmanship was far beyond anyone else I have ever met. A charming man, I always enjoyed our visits. Now what am I going to do? -Ned Gerhart
David will be missed very much. He was a very special person. Very warm and friendly and always had a smile and a thought to share. I prayers are with his family.
Time is a funny thing. It seems as if it was just yesterday that David and I were dancing. I don’t know why I thought of him tonite…we haven’t spoken in years. I do know that I have missed him many times and that there are so many memories in this short space. Glenda, we only met briefly, I am sad for your loss and I hope that the memory of his humor will see you through this time. Russell, Jodi, Joshua and Tiffani blessings to you all. Time is a funny thing.
[406] 273-9003
Only today did I learn of the passing of David.
I knew him only through his work as he took wonderful care in overhauling my baritone sax. He was always available to make emergency repairs. His reassurance that everything could be brought back to normal was a great relief. It was very ehjoyable to watch him at his profession. His conversation during these encounters were lively discussions of music and life.
My condolences to his family and friends. I will miss his expertise but the sound of the music shall live on.
Dad,
It’s been a year since you departed this world. Sometimes I still I can’t believe it’s true that you’re really gone. There isn’t a day that goes by that you don’t cross my mind…I miss you so much. You had such a great sense of humor, and you could always see the funny side of things. I don’t know that I’ll ever laugh with anyone else the way that we used to laugh together. Today I am tempering the tremendous sadness I feel over losing someone who meant so much to me with all the memories of the fun times we shared. You will always live on in our hearts…we miss you.
Love,
Soleil
Happy birthday, my dear love.
Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
– Eskimo Proverb
I just learned of Davids passing. So many memories. I recall the summer of 1967 when David, Mike M. and I drove to Tonasket to pick apples for the summer. We were gonna get rich. I lasted 3 or 4 days, David and Mike about 5 or 6. Bob T, Scotty, Jeff L. and others were there. David was different in many ways than his peers, including me. He had more integrity, more kindness and seemed to be seeking something that we were not seeking. From the first day I met David I knew he was special. He was more comfortable in his own skin. I attribute that to a family unit that included a father and mother. Not everyone had that. Via Con Dios mi amigo. David
Two years have passed and every day the thought of the love David gave me passes through my thoughts and heart. He found this poem in the paper years ago and carried it with him. If someone lost a loved one, he would get a copy of the poem and send it to them. David was a special person and with him I knew I was alive. Love to my loved.
SONG OF THE RIVER by William Randolph Hearst can be accessed HERE
We miss you so much…you were truly a one of a kind person.
I didn’t find out about David’s passing until a few months ago and didn’t realize that I could post something here until yesterday. I have many fond memories of spending time with David and Russell in the 60’s and 70’s. There was a lot of music, a lot of laughter, electric passion and certainly our share of heartache. Life to the fullest with kick-out-the-jams intensity. We didn’t eat the elephant one bite at a time, we tried to swallow it whole. I think David and I must have shared 1-2 tons of sunflower seeds over the years. David was one of the funiest, talented, intelligent, and intellectually honest people I have ever known and I regret that we lost touch after he left Spokane. To his wife Glenda and his daughter Soleil, I’m, sorry that I have not had a chance to know you, but you are in my thoughts and prayers. To Puskins Boolar, I love you, man. And to David, enjoy the few while you can, the many are right behind you. I’ll see you then.
If you were here right now, you’d say, “Wow, he’s been travelling the other way for more than a 1000 days” and then I’d reply as I normally did with “Like yeah, that’s about as old as a three-year-old baby.” We talked so much about life and death. I’m sure you’re in a good place starting all over again. All the kind thoughts above helped me today. You were a light for us! A special, special person to remember forever.
When I was 20 or 21 years old (over 40 years ago) I lived on the river in a small house in Peaceful Valley in Spokane. David visited me there often and he brought me two idyllic country pictures in a single frame that I hung in my living room. I still have those pictures in my office at home today. Every time I look at them I think of him and those times so long ago. It is unfortunate that we can’t go eye-ball to eye-ball with people on the other side, just for an hour or two, now and then. When this one hour class is over and the bell rings, I am absolutely convinced, we will all be together again. Take comfort with good reason, Glenda. “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and the mind of man cannot conceive the wonderful things in store for those who Love”
Uncle David… I thought of you today as I do many days, today was different though, I’m not sure why today you are so strong in my thoughts but I’m glad you are. I love and miss you… Tiffani
P.S. I saw you dancing at my wedding….
You are surely with me today as I remember all the birthdays we shared together with love. You are our angel and we miss you every single day.
Thinking about you and your spirit and know that you have to be saying, “Wow, he’s been traveling the other way for 1844 days.” May your journey be filled with love and joy.
Six years have passed and I still feel all the love you brought into my life . . . especially love of music and laughter. We were together for 33 years and I will miss you forever. Forever you are in my heart and mind.
Mickey is on his way to you and into your loving care. I am overwhelmed with sadness and loss today. Light and love. Stars and moon. You and me.
Nine years have passed and I miss you. Love and light and May our energies collide here and there, Mr. Dime Guy.