Obituary: Kendall, David Lee
Age 70
This is the way Dave Kendall lived his life.
KENDALL, David Lee (Age 70) Passed away November 23, 2012.
He was born September 11, 1942 in Spokane, WA to Lee and Evelyn Kendall.
After graduating from Deer Park High School in 1960, he attended Columbia Basin Jr. College and Whitworth University.
He received his Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
He was at the University of Pacific, Stockton, CA as instructor and head trainer for six years.
He married Elaine C. Beck (Becky) June 10, 1967 in Stockton, CA.
Dave worked as a trainer at the summer camps for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders before becoming the assistant trainer for the Denver Broncos from 1971-1975.
He was head trainer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1975 -1976.
In 1977, Dave was hired at Western Montana College to build a curriculum-based athletic training program, that became nationally recognized.
In Dave’s 18th year as head athletic trainer at UM-Western, he received the Athletic Trainer Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NAIA).
He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the University of Pacific Hall of Fame, the Northwest Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, and the UM-Western Hall of Fame.
After retirement in 2007, Dave enjoyed leasing mules and riding in the high country.
He and Becky enjoyed winter months RVing in Arizona.
His greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren, which were the light of his life.
Dave continued to mentor and was also on the UM-Western Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Joanne.
He is survived by his wife Becky; daughter,Traci Claar of Centreville, VA; son,Todd (Elizabeth) of Bozeman, MT; grandchildren Kendall Claar, and Troy and Ty Kendall.
Also surviving are aunt Charlotte Snell of Mead, WA; brothers Neil (Joanne) of Coeur d’alene, ID, and Warren (Dixie) of Spokane, WA; sister-in-law Mary Louise Whitlow (Jim) of New Bern, NC; brother-in-law David Beck of Montoursville, PA, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration of Dave’s life will be held on January 12th at 1PM at the UM-Western campus in Dillon, Montana.
Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Spokane, WA, summer 2013.