David went home to be with his Lord in heaven on December 2, 2022 at his home in Fortuna. He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones and furry friends, after a valiant fight with esophageal cancer.

David was born on February 26, 1965 in Newton, Kansas to his parents Herbert and Patricia Dahl, who were Salvation Army ministers. David’s childhood was full of camping with his family, finding treasures and playing at the Salvation Army’s thrift store.

One time while playing in the back of the thrift store, he made a tunnel in the clothing. The tunnel caved in on him, and he had to struggle to find his way out. He never really liked closed-in spaces after that. He also gained his love of animals during childhood. The number of animals that lived in his house while he was young are far too many for me to recount. His favorite childhood pets were the ferrets that he got to raise and play with. He liked to tell the story of when he took one of his ferrets to a renaissance fair on a leash. While he was there, David bought a can of Pepsi. When he popped that can open, the ferret ran up his pant leg and stuck his nose into the can of Pepsi. The little ferret laughed at the bubbles hitting his nose and kept sticking his head down into the bubbles.

David joined the Air Force after graduating from high school and served 7 1/2 years. David loved playing D&D and he had a group of airmen that he gamed with often while in the service. He spoke fondly of a friend’s wife who would let them come over to game for hours and served endless amounts of food.

During his time in the service, he was stationed in the US and England. Near the end of his time, he was part of Operation Desert Storm. David was part of the support staff that received and shipped everything that was needed for Operation Desert Storm. It was there that David’s exposure to the burn pits gave him esophageal cancer.

After he left the Air Force, he lived with his sister Deborah, and brother-in-law John, in Santa Cruz. They were like second parents to him. Always such an encouragement and support for him. He loved them dearly. He attended Cabrillo College while he was there and then transferred up to Humboldt State University for a degree in wildlife management.

David met the love of his life, Rebecca Griesbach, while working at Kmart in Eureka. They started dating June 21, 1998 and on June 19, 1999 he bestowed his hearts deepest devotion in marriage to her. One of their hobbies together was raising hamsters for the surrounding pet stores. They would drive out of the county on “hamster hunts” looking for pet stores with hamsters. Some of these adventures would last overnight, and they would sleep in the back of their wagon in random towns. These were fun trips.

David and Rebecca were blessed with three children. Hannah was born in the fall of 2003. Christopher came 18 months later. His last son Benjamin (BG) was born 14 years after that. David loved and adored his children.

One of his favorite things was to go down to Sacramento for the VW show. He would work on Saturday, and then wake up at 3 a.m. Sunday morning and drive down to Sacramento to go to the VW show. Then he would turn around and drive home that day, so that he could get some sleep before going back to work Monday morning. Christopher always went down with him to the VW show and sometimes Hannah would go also. It was such a treasured time for him. His family was the main reason he worked so hard. Another thing that David really enjoyed was going with his family on mission trips to Mexico with his church. He was so blessed to spend time at an orphanage for special needs children, Gabriel House of Mexico. Spending time loving these kids was always a huge highlight for him. David loved spending time outdoors with his family at the beach, rivers and forests.

He worked at Bed Bath & Beyond for over 19 years. He always tried to do his job to the best of his ability. Supporting his staff through whatever trials they had to walk through was important to him. We all have hard things and sometimes we just need to share how hard life is and have someone care enough to listen.

David will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Rebecca; his children, Hannah, Christopher and Benjamin; his parents Herbert and Patricia Dahl; sister Deborah & brother in law John Williamson; Sister Kathleen & brother in law Steven Bell; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and extended family.

A celebration of life will be held at Hydesville Community Church January 28 at 1 p.m. All are welcome to come and join in the celebration. We would love for those who are coming to wear casual wear - Hawaiian shirts or tie-dye, because those were some of David’s favorites.

In remembrance or in lieu of flowers please donate to something David loved, animal shelters, Gabriel’s house in Mexico, Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.

A poem for David by Meagan Schober:

One of our own is missing today. Instead he stands at Heaven’s gate. His face is set, his view is in focus. For the first time he sees in full what we only see in part. He has been made whole. His laughter speaks loudly of how wonderful it is to be in the presence of our King.

Yes, David will be missed. His kindness and patience far exceed most of us if we are honest. He is a forever kind of friend that loves well and will give the shirt off his back if you said you were in need.

Yes, David will be missed. However, we will see him again. And in the meantime we only need to look at his sons Christopher and Benjamin and we can hear his voice, see his smile and know his character. These boys are most definitely the image of their dad. If you want to know his kindness you need not go far because his daughter Hannah carries his legacy of friendship to all she meets. She is steadfast and true just like her dad. If you want to know his heart you will find it in Rebecca, his wife. She brought out the best in David, she has been his champion.

Yes, David will be missed and we shall see him again soon. Those of us in Christ will have Eternity to spend with David when we see Jesus face to face and walk through the gate of Heaven. David will be there with our Lord, smile broad and full of joy and he will be missed no more.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of David Dahl’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.