David Sarver passed away peacefully at 9:30am Pacific time on January 15, 2020 at Cherry Hill Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington just before his 81st birthday on February 1st.
He had been admitted Monday January 13th after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke that led to a brain bleed. He was kept comfortable and peaceful at the hospital and his wife Maxine and daughter Valerie were by his side during his time at the hospital. Their dog Kim (an all-black 16-year old miniature poodle) spent Monday night at the hospital with him. He was surrounded and held by loved ones until his final breath.
David died like he lived: by being prepared and preparing his family for death, being brave, not suffering, and by transitioning with grace and peace.
He was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Cuyahoga Falls. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies from DePauw University in 1961 and went on to graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Chicago Law School in 1964. In 1966, he graduated from the University of Chicago Booth Business School. He worked at the Illinois State Tax Department where he was involved in writing parts of the Illinois tax code. He married his first wife Jane, and they lived in Evanston, Illinois where both their children were born: Evan and Valerie.
David and Jane moved outside of Minneapolis when David started at Laventhol & Horwath. He was there for 14 years, and he was the head of the tax department and a partner. They raised their family in Edina, Minnesota and built a cabin in Wisconsin where David used to love to hunt and fish.
The family left Minneapolis in 1988 and moved to Southern California where David ran a private family office. Jane died from ovarian cancer in 1988. Soon thereafter, he met Maxine and remarried and they lived in Southern California for 12 years. In 2000, David partially retired and he and Maxine built a dream home on Orcas Island in Washington.
Throughout his life, David served as a trusted tax and accounting advisor to many families who are very grateful for how he helped them navigate challenging life and financial decisions in a calm, smart, effective and caring manner. He was eternally understated about his work and supremely overqualified (though he would never claim to be). He also volunteered to help so many people in different ways, and during his "retirement" he became the Treasurer of the hospital on Orcas Island, along with continuing to work with a number of families. He loved to work and build things. He built a dome home cabin in Wisconsin, and a number of kayaks, which he and Maxine enjoyed from their boat dock on Orcas Island.
David enjoyed 30 years married to Maxine, who is now survived by him in Issaquah, WA. They moved from Orcas in 2016.
David loved fishing his whole life, and duck and grouse hunting in his younger years. He always enjoyed the company of dogs. He trained his first dog, Bramble, a springer spaniel to hunt with him, and Bramble will always hold a special place in his heart. He had great appreciation for the outdoors and supported organizations like Trout Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy.
He and Maxine were able to take the trip of a lifetime to enjoy a safari in Africa, and they also enjoyed New Zealand and Mexico together. Closer to home they enjoyed many fishing and other trips together and with others. He and his children were able to enjoy a family trip to Prague in Spring of 2019, and previously a family trip to Canada in 2014. David had a great and dry sense of humor that was appreciated by all his friends and loved ones.
Please join us in remembering David's wonderful and rich life by posting memories or photos you may have of David. In the interest of security, we have removed his social media profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn. David cared dearly about all his friends and loved ones and we share the sadness of losing him together, while also celebrating a rich life, well-lived and full of love and lots of great belly laughs.
For those that want addresses: Maxine's is 100 Timber Ridge Way NW Unit 2411 Issaquah WA 98027-2959 and Valerie's is 163 NE Graham St Unit A Portland OR 97212 and Evan's is: Вул. Політехнічна, 39, офіс 105 Київ, Україна 03056
Thank you for your understanding, love and friendship.
Logistical note: This site only allows one charity to be designated, so Trout Unlimited's National Chapter was chosen. David would also have appreciated contributions to The Nature Conservancy. His daughter Valerie is also championing a campaign to save the 73 remaining Southern Resident Orca Whales that are well known on Orcas Island and swim from BC to California. Donations to that effort can be made online directly at promisethepod.org.
Loading ...
