Obituary: Killen, David Patrick
Age 79
Dave wanted it made clear that he did not battle cancer; he accepted it as yet another phase of a life that included a diverse career and a wide range of recreational pursuits.
As he lay dying, his impact on many people became obvious as a varied range of friends and family members visited to wish him well on his latest adventure, which is how he saw the after life.
David was born on May 21, 1936 in Los Angeles, CA., the oldest son of David Gordon Killen and Mary Catherine Flynn Killen.
After a childhood spent primarily in Olympia, Washington, and briefly in Eugene, Oregon, where he graduated from South Eugene High, he served in the U.S. Army.
Upon discharge he earned his bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and went on to earn a doctorate in historical theology from Marquette University.
His career included serving as a parish catechist, university teaching and administration, religious education publishing and, for a decade before retirement, elementary school counseling.
His work and that of his wife led to his living at various times in Portland, Oregon; Spokane, Washington; Sewanee, Tennessee; Midland, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; and, from 1989 until 2010, in Tacoma, Washington, before returning to Spokane for his wife’s employment.
Among friends and family, Dave was known to have a deep, wide ranging and razor sharp intellect.
He loved knowledge and he loved to impart knowledge.
Those who knew him knew that you didn’t want to argue with him unless you were well prepared.
But he also was known as a caring teacher and friend, and was credited with helping students and acquaintances through difficult times.
Dave spoke frequently about his affection for the water and spent many years as a recreational sailor and sea kayaker.
He also was an avid road cyclist and remained active in the Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club even after he relocated to Spokane and became active in the Spokane Bicycle Club.
As recently as last summer, he had ridden his Specialized Roubaix across Washington in an SBC ride.
He took part multiple times in the STP (Seattle to Portland Ride) and rode the seven-day Cycle Oregon numerous times, most recently in 2013.
He was completing training for Cycle Oregon 2015 when he became aware of his illness and regretfully had to withdraw from the event.
A lifelong, active Catholic, Dave most recently attended St. Aloysius Parish, and facilitated an adult education group for Our Lady of the Lake Parish.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Patricia, of Spokane; his three children, Jennifer Hall (Charlie) of Ashland, OR., Joshua Killen (Gloria) of Beaverton, OR., and Suzanne Kay of Gladstone, OR.
; his six siblings, RoseMary Anderson (Bob) of Gooding, Idaho; Bill of Boise, Idaho; Cathy Heileman of Meridian, Idaho; Peggy Killen (Galen Louis) of Boise; John (Marlie) of Portland; Eileen (Bunnie) Keen (Steve) of Salt Lake City; six grandchildren, twenty nieces and nephews, and a growing brood of great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be Sunday, November 8, at 4:00pm and will be celebrated at The Student Chapel at Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone, Spokane.
In lieu of flowers donations should be made to Hospice of Spokane or to the Food Connection at St. Leo Parish, Tacoma, Washington.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: