Obituary: David Strate

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August 6, 1942 – December 2, 2024
Dave was born in Newark, Ohio to Floyd and Rhea Strate. He grew up in Newark along with his older brother and sister. In his teens, Dave became adventurous, frightening his parents by taking flying lessons at a local airfield. He was also indispensable in putting on an addition to his parent’s house.
He went to the Ohio State University for his freshman year. However, the call of the West beckoned him. He jumped into his ’62 Corvair and headed for Sacramento, CA where he had relatives. As luck would have it, while on the road he stopped in Boulder because of bad weather. The next morning he awoke to a bright blue sky and fresh snow on the Flatirons! He was hooked
on Colorado!
Dave stayed in Boulder and got a job at the United States Geological Survey at the Denver Federal Center. There he met Paul Averitt, a geologist, who introduced him first to skiing and then to his daughter Edith (Edie), age 18. Dave and Edie fell in love and married July 12, 1969.
Since then, Dave and Edie lived in Colorado Springs, Vail, San Francisco, Lakewood and Grand Lake. Adventures ensued, such as two children(!) Jennifer and Christopher, climbing, sailing, travel and diving. Dave loved Grand Lake, and for 20 years he and Edie lived in a house that he built overlooking Columbine Lake. Dave was active in the community and volunteered for many events and organizations, particularly Rotary, Habitat for Humanity, and Trinity Church in the Pines. More years passed: four grandsons appeared and became a treasured part of the family, along with Jennifer’s husband Chappell and Chris’ wife Melanie.
There will be a Celebration of Life later this spring, with date and location still to be considered.

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