More detail on this person: David Warren Nutter December 7, 1943-November 15, 2013 David Warren Nutter December 7, 1943-November 15, 2013 Stanwood Camano News (WA) - Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Former Alaskan resident David Warren Nutter, 69, died surrounded by family at the University of Washington Medical Center on Nov. 15, 2013. After a great demonstration of strength and courage, he succumbed to a heart condition. A graveside service with military honors was held at Camano Pioneer Cemetery, Washington on Nov. 21, 2013. Born in Seward, Alaska on Dec. 7, 1943, Dave spent his childhood there and in Sitka before returning to Hope and Anchorage to complete his primary education. He was an avid hunter and guide during those years and enjoyed sports and drama at West Anchorage High, where he graduated in 1962. While at Oregon State University Dave served as president of the Chi Phi Fraternity and commander of the NROTC Drill Team. After graduation he was commissioned in the Marine Corps and completed flight training at Pensacola, Florida in 1968. He flew the CH-46 Sea Knight with HMM Squadron 263 based in Da Nang, Vietnam, receiving three meritorious citations. He was brought down one time by enemy fire, with all aboard surviving. After returning stateside Captain Nutter married Thea Herring in 1970 while serving as flight instructor at the New River Marine Air Station, N.C. Upon completing military service Dave and Thea returned home to Alaska and began their family. They enjoyed Prince William Sound in their 24' Coronet, with their daughters, Brooke and Hattie in tow, while building a successful Amway business in Anchorage, stateside and internationally. In 1982 they moved to Washington state to live aboard their 42' Kady Krogen in which they explored Puget Sound and British Columbia. They eventually settled on Camano Island. By that time Dave had moved into a transportation career, developing the safety and training program for what became First Transit in Everett, Wash. Dave continued his lifelong love of aviation through reading and precision modeling with his grandsons. David's greatest joy and love was his family, with whom he included and catered in his many interests. He was a motorcycle safety instructor for 14 years as the family enjoyed touring and camping throughout the Northwest and Canada on their motorcycles. As a hobbyist thespian Dave loved writing short plays on topical subjects to be enacted by family and friends at summer get togethers, along with complete recitations of poems from his beloved poet Robert Service. Although unassuming and reserved no microphone was safe near him. Dave was proceeded in death by his parents Warren "Bill" Nutter and Muriel "Peg" Leflar; sisters Cynthia DuFour, Jacqueline Moore, Priscilla Witt and brother John Witt. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Thea; daughters Brooke Petersen and Hattie Schweitzer; sister and brother-in-law Joan and Tom Quirk; brother Frank Gwartney, and grandsons Gavin and Logan Schweitzer. Other survivors are his many friends and work associates that he felt very close to. His trademark broad smile and good nature will remain in everyone's heart who knew him. Friends are invited to a remembrance and celebration of his life to be held this spring, 2014 on Camano Island, Wash.
Burial information: Camano Island Pioneer Cemetery, Camano, WA
This information was last updated 09/10/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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