David Margeson died at his La Conner home on September 19, 2023, with his wife Shirley and children by his side.
Dave was born in Seattle on Sept. 8, 1943, the son of John and Ethel Margeson. He grew up in the View Ridge neighborhood, where he was active in Little League baseball and was a charter member of Boy Scout Troop 172. He became the troop’s first Eagle Scout in 1958. Dave spent his summers at BSA Camp Omache, where he worked as a lifeguard, swimming instructor, and program director.
After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1961, Dave enrolled at the University of Washington, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry in 1966. Two weeks later, he was off to Army basic training. Dave was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in 1967 and was posted to Tuy Hua, Vietnam, where he was the Company Commander of the 572nd Engineering Battalion. Dave left the Army as a 1st Lieutenant and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 1968.
Back from the Army, Dave set out on a long career in the timber and land use planning industries. Among other things, he was the Project Manager for the development of the Eaglemont Golf Course in Mount Vernon. He finished his career as a planner for the Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation in Bellevue.
Dave met his wife, Shirley Askildson, through mutual friends in 1967. The two married on December 27, 1969. Their twins, Scott and Amy, were born on June 9, 1972. The family lived in Edmonds, where Dave served as Scoutmaster of Troop 319 and as a coach in the local youth soccer leagues.
In 1975, Dave and Shirley purchased a beachfront lot on Guemes Island in Skagit County. They retired to the island in 2005 and made it their home until 2023.
Dave simply could not be inactive. In his retirement years, he was a volunteer for the Island Hospital Foundation and curator and maintenance director at the W.T. Preston exhibit at the Anacortes Maritime Heritage Museum. He joined the Guemes Island Volunteer Fire Department in 2006, where he began as a firefighter and was eventually elected to the office of Fire Commissioner.
Dave was a member of the Anacortes Rotary, where he served on various boards and committees. At one point, Dave was the Rotary liaison for the City of Anacortes Parks and Recreation Department. The Anacortes Rotary named Dave its Rotarian of the Year for 2011-2012 and received the Paul Harris Fellow for “service above self” in 2022.
When not busy at his many jobs, Dave enjoyed entertaining his family and friends, Husky football, and boating and fishing the waters around the San Juan Islands.
Dave is survived by his wife Shirley; his son Scott, Scott’s wife Becki and daughters Rylie and Grace of Marysville; daughter Amy Reber, Amy’s husband Dan and children Sam, Hans, and Josie of Kingston; his brother Doug Margeson of Woodinville, and many extended family members.
Throughout his life, Dave was known for his honesty, generosity, good humor, and unwavering devotion to his family and his country.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Majestic Inn, 419 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, 3 p.m. Oct. 21.