David A. Colwell

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David departed on his final adventure February 25th leaving a void in the lives of the people who loved him. He was uniquely generous to family and friends. He was a master of the lost art of storytelling.

David graduated Boise State University 1965-68 with a Bachelor of Science Zoology, Central Washington University 1969-70 with a Master’s Degree in Zoology/Parasitology and Washington State 1971-76: DVM Veterinary Medicine.

David was an instructor at the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho while attending WSU where he taught an upper-level course in Wildlife Diseases. He was also a lecturer in Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming where he presented wildlife and habitat lectures and slide shows at the park facilities. David was employed by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game to study the impact of the Susitna Hydro Dam project on the salmon fisheries 1976-78.

David began veterinary practice in Kodiak, AK in 1978, providing both large and small animal care. He also provided care for injured wildlife. He retired from the Kodiak practice in 2005 but maintained remote care for the animals in Dutch Harbor, Sandpoint , King Cove and Port Lyons. He was a standout in providing medical help over-the-phone for villages of Kodiak Island and the Aleutian Islands. David was also an avid photographer and loved to document his hunting. He was of service to the federal Fish and Wildlife Service with regard to performing examinations on medical issues on wildlife animals on Kodiak Island. For years he was the only Veterinarian on Kodiak Island and provided on-call emergency service at all times. He had a true love for the people and their companion animals wherever he practiced.

His love for hunting and fishing began at an early age with his Father Bert being the instigator. He was a conservationist at heart and only harvested the older males and would often come home without any game as he would leave them to grow up. He understood animal behavior and there was none better at knowing how to hunt and where to fish. Pound for pound, he was as tough as there was. He was both smart and strong when it came to being in difficult situations that were encountered during his hunts. He was proud of his trophy room collection from the standpoint that they represented the older and best representation of the many species he collected. Almost every trophy was a World Record holder.

David is survived by his daughter Lindsey Lybarger, grandson Shain, grand daughter Leutia and his three sisters, Susie Garczynski, Linda and Jeff Cook and Margaret and Milton Jouflas.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held in McCall, Idaho on Monday, July 28th at 1pm at the cabin (504 River Street) for all who wish to attend.