David Allen Jensen
(March 18, 1948 - October 7, 2024)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved David Allen Jensen on October 7, 2024.
Dave was born on March 18, 1948 in Idaho Falls, ID. His family moved to Boise, ID in 1950 where he went to kindergarten in 1954. They moved again in 1955 to Fort Peck, MT where he attended elementary school from the 1st to 8th grade. He also attended the first 2 ½ years of high school in nearby Glasgow, MT.
He spent his summers living with and working for his maternal grandparents, Rudolph and Hedvig Nelson, on their farm in Idaho Falls, ID. His grandfather was also a flight instructor and taught him to fly. He became a licensed private pilot at the age of 16.
That same year, his father’s job took them to Bellevue, WA where he attended the last 1 ½ years of high school. Since he was a WA resident, he applied and was accepted at the University of Washington in Seattle. He received a forestry degree in 1970. While not being sure what he wanted to do with his life and being adventurous, he flew to Germany where he took a job as a work student for about a year. This was accomplished with the assistance of German friends of his mother. Upon returning to the United States, he decided to become a civil engineer and enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Washington. He graduated with a civil engineering degree two years later.
After graduating, he moved to Anchorage, AK where his parents then lived. He went to work for the US Army Corps of Engineers.
In June of 1974, he met Sherry Beck who became his soulmate and wife of 48 years. They married on February 27, 1976.
Seven months later, Dave applied for and accepted a position with the Corps of Engineers in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. He and Sherry did a lot of overseas traveling while based in Saudi Arabia. Eighteen months later, they returned to AK where they had a home built in Wasilla on property they already owned.
He loved to fly and owned his own airplane for most of the years he lived in AK. He flew on wheels, skis and floats. He was a very adept and safe pilot. He and Sherry built a fly-in cabin on a lake where they spent a lot of time, along with family and friends.
In 1980, he went to work for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. He was employed there for 28 years.
In 1982 he acquired his masters degree in arctic engineering by attending evening classes at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
He made many good friends over the years and stayed in contact with most of them.
He returned to work for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. for 8 years as a contractor in the summer months.
He and Sherry bought a vacation home in AZ and spent their winters there from 2008 to 2023. They liked to go on motor home vacations to various other states from there.
After being AK residents for 47 years, they sold their Wasilla home and moved to Emmett, ID in 2019 where they built their dream home on 7 acres overlooking the Emmett valley. He stayed quite busy during the summer months there. He was very happy throughout his life.
Unfortunately Dave and Sherry were never blessed with children, but they borrowed and enjoyed nieces and nephews frequently.
Dave is survived ty his wife, Sherry Jensen, Emmett, ID; four Yorkies, Micki, Lexi, Gracie and Emmi; his sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Terry Smith, Parma, ID; brother-in-law, Paul Pinard (June Holder), Wasilla, AK; nephews, PJ Pinard, Wasilla, AK, Aaron Smith (Tamara Beck), McCall, ID, and Christopher Pinard (KC Colon), Wasilla, AK; nieces, Suzanne Fullmer (Jim Fullmer), Cle Elum, WA and Andrea Lee (Jake Lee), Twin Falls, ID; great nephews, Brandon Fullmer, Mercer Island, WA, Wyatt Smith, Middleton, ID, Matthew Fullmer, Golden, CO and Jack Fullmer, Cle Elum, WA; great nieces Addison Smith, Middleton, ID, Kennedy Fullmer, Cle Elum, WA and Kathryn Gregg, Twin Falls, ID; and several extended family members (too many to name but important nonetheless).
He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Paul Jensen, his mother, Rhea Jensen and his father Allen Jensen.
We have no doubt Dave is in Heaven with the Lord and continuing to do the good deeds he was known for here on earth. He is still loved and missed by all who knew him, most especially his family.
Obituary from Bowman Funeral Directories.
Walt Wood
The passing of Daven Jensen hurts. I had no idea he was sick. We talked over the phone for a long time less than a year ago. Professionally he taught me the ropes of putting out a good design package and this was of course the Dave Jenson "template" method. I used it for most of my APSC projects and in Peru SA I used it for a major language translation project and I always gave credit to Dave. I appreciated him for believing in what Mary Lynne and I were a part of and his support over many years. Dave Jensen, you were a great human being. My life was greatly enriched for having known you. I just wish you could have seen how your "template" method worked for a 6-1/2 year long translation project that turned out pretty good. Of course it more than proved itself on the Wilbur Creek sleeving effort and a few others.
Mel Jessee
Sorry to hear of Dave's passing. Dave was always very professional and took pride in his engineering work on TAPS. He was also very patient with explaining technical things to a non-engineer like me...
Morris Cunningham
Had the pleasure of working with Dave off and on over several years, a very likeable person. Sorry to hear of his passing RIP Dave.
John Renfroe
So sorry to hear of Dave's passing. He was a big help to me while I worked on Engineering Department manual. Always had time for a question or two, always very upbeat! Quite accomplished person: engineer, arctic engineer, pilot and genuinely nice guy! RIP Dave
Greg Kinney
Dave was a great guy, a very good engineer and P&CM. Although he was all business at work, he had a rare combination of intelligence,common sense, and personality. He was witty, affable, and keenly observant all at once. He could and would cut to the chase and get there first. But he would do it in a way that would always come off as tactful and respectful. His was a model to emulate on a personal and professional level, and there's little wonder why his colleagues always have and always will hold him in the highest regard.
Mike Smulski
I cant add much to what's already been said. Dave and I flew together many times, and he was a fine gentleman and a good friend. Rest in peace.
Don Knight
Soory to hear of Dave's passing. He also worked for the Feds a while before going to Alyeska.
Enjoyed our time together.
Don Knight
Steve Hampton
I like others was shocked to hear of Daves passing. He was great guy and a pleasure to work with.
We saw him a year or so back in Watson Lake, Yukon.
I know he enjoyed Motorhoming as we do. Condolences to his family! He will be missed!
Cathy Girard
Dave's passing is a tough one to hear. Dave was always so full of life and full of inspirational stories. He made you want to get off the couch and do things, not because he pushed you but because of his infectious enthusiasm and curiosity for life. I first knew Dave as the Response & Remediation SME in the Bragaw building, and then worked closely with him when he was a CMC at PS03 and PS05. He was kind, funny, so darned smart, humble, confidently but discernedly direct, and inventive. And I found his bowl-cut hair endearing, kind of boyish like his spirit. I was fortunate to have known you, Dave. As you were in life, I'm sure you are resting in peace.
Andy Postishek
Very well written Cathy, captures Dave to a "T", I worked with Dave throughout my career with APSC, and he was the ultimate professional, friendly, and always smiling.
RIP Dave.......