David James Welch
David Welch
David (Dave) James Welch, 90, passed away the evening of January 29, 2024 in Renton, WA. Dave was born to Cecelia (Doppler) and Robert M. Welch on June 19, 1933 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was the fifth of seven children.
Dave worked on the family farm and other family farms during his childhood. After serving in the Army from 1955 to 1957, Dave worked on a farm near his uncle’s place in Ronan, Montana. While working in Ronan, he met an outfitter that worked in Glacier National Park. Dave and his brother, George, worked in the Many Glacier area of Glacier Park the summers of 1959 and 1960. After tourist season ended in the park he guided hunting parties in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana.
During his summer of 1960 in Glacier Park, he met Madelyn Vieth, who was vacationing from Illinois. The beauty of Glacier Park sparked a romance. They were married on December 16th, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois.
Dave and Madelyn settled in Seeley Lake, MT where Dave worked at Gray’s Mill Lumber Company until it closed. While in Seeley Lake, Dave and Madelyn welcomed son David in 1961 and daughter Elaine in 1962. After going to aviation design schooling in Helena, MT, Dave and his family moved to Seattle in 1966 where he began a long career with Boeing. He worked at Boeing until he retired in 1995. In his free time, Dave enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, bowling and socializing with friends at Skyway Park Bowl.
In 1995, his daughter Elaine Patterson gave birth to Laura who would become a great joy to Dave and Madelyn.
In February of 2016, after 55 years of marriage, Madelyn passed away suddenly and Dave was heartbroken.
Dave is survived by his son David, daughter Elaine (Ken) Patterson and granddaughter Laura Patterson (his punkindoodle), all of the Seattle area. He is also survived by brothers, Dick and Rolly of Hazelton, ND and numerous nephews, nieces and grand nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by Madelyn, his parents, brothers Robert, George and Donald and sister Laura.
Dave’s wish was for his family and friends to celebrate his life in their own way and time without a formal service. He will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery.
5 Responses to “David James Welch”
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My dear Elaine and David. Thank you so much for letting our family know of your Dad’s passing. I am sorry for your loss. I will forward your message onto our family as your Dad was always so warm and welcoming whenever your Canadian cousins came for a visit to your farm. I’m so glad you posted the younger version of your dad as that is how I remember him. I hope someday soon we will have another family reunion to reconnect. Take care. Love to all of you. Linda and Dwight
My thoughts and Prayers are with you during this trying time.
Rest In Peace Dave
My parents were good friends with Dave and Madelyn. They met at Skyway Park Bowl many years ago. My Mom,Ruth, and Dave shared the same birthday. June 19th. I still call him every year after my Mom passed. He will be sadly missed. R.I.P. Dave
I have only known David for 15 years,his quiet demeanor and and his no nonsense straight shooting way of talking always impressed me his word was his bond .his tales of guiding in Montana ranching firewatching and life in the Dakota’s. Always impressed me To my knowledge they don’t make them like David.any more. He was a gentleman Always, and will be sadly missed. Rest in peace. David
Although I didn’t know David until his later years he was a pleasure to know. I can see he raised a respectable, hard working, and caring daughter in Elaine. May he rest in Peace. God Bless the family as they grieve his loss.