David L. Swanberg

David Swanberg at the  Whistler Trailhead named after him.
David Swanberg at the
Whistler Trailhead named after him.

David L. Swanberg age 79 of Tonasket died on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at North Valley Hospital in Tonasket. He was born April 26, 1935 in Bellingham, Washington to parents Ludwig and Vera Swanberg.

David spent most of his youth in the Bellingham-Ferndale area. He served in the Marines from 1954 to 1957. He worked his entire career for Wright-Schuchart-Harbor Construction Company starting as a union carpenter and retiring in 1992 as Vice President of Construction. His work was primarily on the West Coast from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Eureka, Calif. He was also a company liaison for projects in Sweden and Saudi Arabia.

David’s hobbies included golf and skiing, but his passion was for boating in the San Juan Islands. He was a member and active participant in the Swinomish Yacht Club and eventually retired in 1992 to Lopez Island. Looking for more sunshine, he moved to Tonasket in 2001 where he built his home and became active in Back Country Horseman of Washington where he served in several officer positions in the local Okanogan Valley Chapter as well as committee chairman for the State organization. You can see the product of his work at the PNTA/Whistler Canyon trailhead just south of Oroville.

David is survived by his wife Margaret, children Mark Swanberg, Daniel Swanberg, Jeffrey (Georgann) Swanberg and Gretchen (Jeff) Thompson and grandchildren Justin and Morgan Swanberg, Jordan, Jocelyn, Spencer and Micah Swanberg, Cole and Jack Thompson

No services are planned at this time but remembrances may be sent to Back Country Horseman, 110 W. 6th Ave., P.O. Box 393, Ellensburg, WA 98926.