May 24, 1934 - December 23, 2020
David Paul Vorpahl Obituary David Paul Vorpahl, 86, passed away Dec. 23, 2020 in the Sacred Heart Emergency Center. He died of heart failure but was surrounded with close family members in his final moments. He was born May 24, 1934, in Pine City, MN to Forrest and Hattie Haynes Vorpahl. Dave joined the US Air Force after high school and was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base where he was a medic. Spokane became his permanent home. He met Beverly Smith, and they were married in 1957, recently celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary. After the Air Force, Dave enrolled at Whitworth College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He also passed the national boards from St. Luke's Hospital School of Clinical Laboratory Scientist to become a Medical Technologist. Years later, he earned two Master's Degrees from Eastern Washington University, one in biology the other in Physical Education and Adult Teaching. His final degree was a Doctorate from Gonzaga University in Educational Leadership. (If there had been another university in Spokane, Dave would probably have graduated from it, too.) He was also a captain with the 385th Army Reserve Unit His passions in life were writing and sports. He authored five books with a variety of subjects, ranging from religious stories to aliens in Davenport, WA. He was also something of a poet and quite the storyteller. He entertained his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews with his fertile imagination. Dave was quite an athlete in his younger years and in later years enjoyed sports by watching his grandchildren play. He also enjoyed watching almost any game on TV but thoroughly rooted for WSU football and GU basketball. Dave's father was a Baptist minister and religion was always an important factor in Dave's life. He was a member of the former Park Heights Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and trustee, and was a current member of Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife Beverly and their children, Dan, Tim (Gina), Janet, and Illa Davis (Kevin) as well as 8 eight grandchildren, their spouses, a great-grandson and several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Due to the pandemic, a private service will be limited to the immediate family. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of David , please visit our Tree Store
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