David Leonard Owen, 92

On Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, David Owen, loving husband and father of four children, died at the age of 92.

David was born in Madison, Wisconsin, in March of 1930 to Gaylord and Frieda Owen. He grew up in Wisconsin and developed a lifelong love of the outdoors including hunting, fishing, working, and playing football. Following graduation, Dave spent a year in the Army and then moved to Montana, earning his airborne wings as a reservist and, shortly afterward, becoming a smokejumper for the Forest Service out of Missoula. He continued to jump fires during the summers, and on weekends, as he earned a bachelor degree in rangeland management from the University of Montana’s School of Forestry.

Following college, Dave began a career in the Forest Service working on several Ranger Districts in Idaho, and in 1958, Dave started his first job as a district ranger on Big Prairie Ranger District (now part of Spotted Bear Ranger District). He would have stayed in that job, in that place, for the rest of his career, but his supervisors let him know that was not an option, and he went on to serve as ranger at Ninemile Ranger District.

It was at this time that Dave’s life changed when he met a young biology teacher named Kathryn (or Kay). Dave and Kay started their family at Ninemile and continued to raise them while Dave worked at Superior and then Spotted Bear Ranger Districts.

David’s last ranger posting at Spotted Bear Ranger District felt like a homecoming. He had a special connection to the country and thoroughly enjoyed it, and was dedicated to serving the public that loved the South Fork of the Flathead as he did. He also held a deep respect for the knowledge, skills, passion, and experience of the diverse group of people he worked with—including packers, fire and timber managers, archaeologists, wildlife biologists, trail crew members, wilderness rangers, lookouts, office staff, cooks, farriers, maintenance workers, outfitters, and volunteer groups. Dave’s family cherishes the memories they made during summers spent at Spotted Bear.

Following retirement, Dave enjoyed travel with his wife Kathryn. He also enjoyed painting and drawing cartoons and, both Dave and Kay, started downhill skiing again. They enjoyed skiing at Big Mountain and Blacktail Mountain until Dave was into his late 80s. Most of all, though, Dave enjoyed going down to the place in the Swan Valley that he and Kay had bought early in their marriage and where they had moved an old homestead cabin to in the 1960s. Thoughtful management of this forest was one of Dave and Kay’s greatest pleasures and legacies. Dave remained active working on the place in the Swan until he reached 90 years of age. The Owen family is very grateful to the many health care providers, professionals, and workers who have helped Dave along his journey these past two years, including those at Kalispell’s Logan Health Medical Center, Woodland Clinic, Brendan House, and the Beehive Home. And finally, the folks from Hospice and Loyal Care who enabled us to bring Dad home for his last month with us. You are heroes. And to our beloved husband, papa, grandpa, and great-grandpa we are eternally grateful to have shared so many years with you and send our love with you as you begin your next adventure.

Dave is survived by his wife Kathryn; daughters Colleen (Pat), Heidi (Scott), Carrie (Chris), and son, Russell (Jill); as well as grandchildren — Haley (Krystal), Maia (Dan), April, Leif, and Stella; and great-grandson, Davey.

A celebration of life will be held at Darlington Funeral Home on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers kindly make a donation in Dave’s name to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation at bmwf.org.

A livestream link is available for David's service at https://my.gather.app/remember/david-owen-2022