David James Browitt, 74, a lifelong resident of Roslyn whose career and personal involvement impacted numerous facets of the Upper Kittitas County community and beyond, died April 26, 2013, of complications related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at 11a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Roslyn. A rosary will be recited on Monday, May 6 at 7p.m. at the same church.
Dave was born June 25, 1938 in Roslyn, the middle of five children of Harold and Elizabeth (Franciscovich) Browitt. He attended the Roslyn School through 8th grade and graduated from Cle Elum High School in 1956. He graduated with a B.S. in biology from Central Washington State College in 1961 and a B.S. in forestry from the University of Washington in 1964. In 1962 he married Jean Vandetta, whom he had met when they were both students at CWSC, and they had four children – the first of whom, David, was born while he completed his studies at UW.
Throughout his life, Dave was inextricably linked to the mountains and forests of Washington's eastern - slope Cascades. As a youth he was introduced to his family's customary summertime haunt – Fish Lake – and happily imbued that tradition on his grandchildren, not to mention his four kids. As a teenager he took his first job in the woods, maintaining telephone lines to the various fire lookouts within the Cle Elum Ranger District. And after 10 years with the U.S. Forest Service, most of which was spent in fire control, Dave accepted a position with Boise Cascade and served that company in several capacities – among them logging supervisor, federal sales specialist and area manager – for almost 40 years. Along the way, he directed crews that planted several million trees, thinned hundreds of acres of overgrown forestland and maintained untold miles of trails.
In the years leading up to his retirement from Boise Cascade and thereafter, Dave engaged in some far-ranging pursuits: He and Jean traveled internationally, visiting venues where one son-in-law happened to be on film location (they were granted an audience with Pope John Paul II in 2004); they became devotees of the various collegiate and NFL teams for whom their other son-in-law coached; and Dave fished for steelhead in the rivers of Washington and Idaho, and for salmon off Vancouver Island's Pacific coast.
But his favorite endeavors were always those for which he had an enduring association and occurred close to home. Dave relished hiking into Hyas Lake, especially in the spring when runoff-swelled creeks were difficult to cross, and casting a line for eastern brook; he loved spending a summer evening beside a campfire at Fish Lake, chatting with friends and family while watching the grandkids make s'mores; he savored the brisk fall mornings in hunting camp, meticulously glassing remote, rugged Cascade hillsides in search of a nice mule deer buck; and though he would be loathe to admit it, he enjoyed shoveling snow. He was a snowmobiler, a boater, a sports fan, a little league coach, a berry picker, a seeker of wildflowers, an admirer of autumn colors, and an ardent walker of the streets of Roslyn as well as the paths that dissect the wooded terrain above town.
Dave was a lifelong parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was heavily involved in the church's recent restoration; he was a charter member of the Snomads, Upper Kittitas County's first snowmobile club, and its inaugural president; he was a board member of the Intermountain Logging Conference, serving as the organization's president in 1993; he was a board member of the Roslyn Cemetery Commission; and he served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Dave is survived by his wife Jean, with whom he celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in December; son David H. A. (wife Christy) of Roslyn; son Jim (wife Tracy) of Lewiston, Idaho; daughter Kristen Linehan (husband Scott) of Detroit, Mich.; daughter Kerri Caviezel (husband Jim) of Westlake Village, Calif.; grandsons Matthew, Michael and Marcus Linehan, and Bo and David Caviezel; and granddaughter Lyn Caviezel; brother Edward (wife Sheila) of Lake Stevens, Wash.; sister Eileen Stewart (husband Ken) of Suisun, Calif.; and brother Robert (wife Lisa) of Roslyn. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald, and a sister-in-law, Gerald's wife Ruth.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
May 29, 2013
Ken Woodward
David was a great man. The Browitt family has always been known to be a shining star amoung the human race. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and was always a positive influence for myself. He was kind and gentle and I truly respected him. Fear not! He is now at the right hand of God.
May 25, 2013
Bo
The best memory I have of Grandpa is when he and I went fishing. Whenever we go, we always had a routine. We'd always get the boat ready and I would get in it and help him steer it. Then when we were out far enough to fish, he would always put these worms on the hook and I would watch him. I would think, "that looks great, those fish probably love those!" It took time, but was worth it. Then came the fun part: fishing! Usually he would get a net ready when we did this. When a fish was caught, he would say, "You got a big one!" when really it was small. After we did that we cleaned the fish and I was really interested in that. When we got home, we then fried and ate them. Yum! What fun times I had with my Grandpa.
Love you Grandpa, Rest in peace.
Your grandson
May 14, 2013
LeLe
Dear Grandpa,
Everytime when we went out hiking, I always felt safe because you would lead us or point out cool things like the ant nest or another path. I will always love you and one day I will see you in heaven with your hat and smile.
Love,
Your granddaughter
May 9, 2013
Thinking of your family in this time of sorrow. Art and Mel Whitham, Newcastle, Wa.
May 9, 2013
Dave Browitt was a wonderful, kind and loving man. He was a good father, husband and friend. There was always a kind word, a smile and warmth that beamed from Dave Browitt. When ever I felt a down day...Dave could lift you up again and give you the confidence as a child, teenager and young adult that you needed. He was a good friend to my mother, brothers and sister and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for always being there to help my mom and us kids. Jean and family...my thoughts are with you all...take care and I hope to see you all one day soon! Jim and Tammy (Malcolm) Schunzel, Jessica and Tyler Schunzel Auburn, Wa. 98092
May 8, 2013
Bret Watson
I did not have the honor of knowing this wonderful man, I wish I had. My condolences to the family. Jim and Tracy, You are in my thoughts. Dave, go catch some Brookies at your next stop. Godspeed.
May 8, 2013
Kathy (Dorich) Gladden
Dave was a great man and friendly to all.
May you rest in peace in heaven.
God bless his family.
May 7, 2013
Robin Nichols
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Schweiss and Nichols families
May 7, 2013
Janet Venera
To all of David's family, We are thinking of you during this time of sorrow and wishing you strength in the days ahead. Dave's love of life has been passed on to many people. Jean, Iris sends her condolences to you.
Joe and Jan Venera
Iris Marinsic Thrupp
May 6, 2013
Janice Skiba
I'm so sorry, and shocked, to hear this sad news. My condolences to Dave's family. Jan Skiba
May 6, 2013
Rheta and Patsy Peele
Our sincere condolences to all of the family. What a lovely tribute to Dave you have written.
May 4, 2013
Stan Murphy
We're all going to miss that smiling guy. My sympathies and prayers to all of the family, especially Jean and David H.A. God Bless. Stan Murphy
May 3, 2013
Donald Aden
While employed by the Dept of Natural Resources, I had the opportunity to meet and work with Dave on forestry issues when he was the area manager for Boise Cascade. Dave was a good forester and easy to get along with.
Dave and I met many times to work on forest practice issues dealing with water, road maintenance and reforestation. R.I.P. Dave
May 3, 2013
To all of David's family, I was sad to hear of David's death. David and his wife were very special to my twin sister Ruthie and of course Jerry and will be sadly missed by their children. His obit was a remarkable tribute to the life of a great man. God bless you all at this sad time. Sincerely, Janice Holck Meyers
May 3, 2013
Robyn Salyer
Thinking about you all and how amazing Uncle David was. Sorry we can not be there with you but you are in our thoughts and prayers.
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