Final Salute

David Maag passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife by his side on June 10, 2021. He was born in El Paso, Texas on May 14, 1931 to Theodore and Elsie Maag. The family moved to Spokane and Dave grew up in the Lincoln Heights area. He met the love of his life, Patricia, at Lewis and Clark high school. During those years Dave joined the Naval Reserves. In 1950 he was to be drafted so on July 22nd of that year he and Patty eloped. That commenced 70 plus years of a shared life dedicated to each other, their family and their faith. Dave spent 2 years in the Navy as a Seabee serving in the South Pacific Marshall Islands and the Phillipines, then coming home to work the next 38 years as a telephone lineman for “Ma Bell”. After retirement he and Pat built, most of it hands-on, their dream home on acreage in southern Williams Valley near Deer Park, WA. There they enjoyed for over two decades a quieter life. They were together in everything they did, coffee cups in hand and they never missed a good morning and good night kiss.

Dave and Patty raised three children and created many memories of a happy full life together. He created a passion for the northern panhandle of Idaho in his family. Summer weekends and vacations were spent at the family cabin on Priest Lake. Over the years Dave remodeled and added on to the original one room. He taught his kids how to swim, water ski, scuba dive, drive boats and sail…both a wooden canoe and a 10′ row boat. Untold hikes in the surrounding mountains of Priest coupled with refreshing swims in the lake created experiences that are lifelong memories. He learned to fly in his 40’s, taking the unique and amazing opportunity of flying across the country with his son Bill in a Piper Cherokee 140. He was an avid reader and loved history. Dave was fiercely independent, always paying his own way forward, and modeled a work ethic to be proud of.

Dave and Patty have been members of Lincoln Heights Congregational Church for over 80 years. Dave helped in the construction of the current church building. He was also a creative artist. Drawings and oil paintings of his were a family joy. He always included a drawing on cards to family members that was a personal, loving touch from him. Throughout his life he demonstrated his love for his wife, his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. He will always be remembered for his love, strength, quiet sweet smile and the twinkle in his eye. Dave was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend that his family will eternally be thankful for.

Dave is survived by his wife Patricia, their three children and spouses, Janice and Randy Cloward, Vickie and Carlyle Holtan, Bill and Lechia Maag as well as six grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

A viewing is scheduled for June 17 and 18, 9 to 4, at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division.

A Memorial service will be held at Lincoln Heights Congregational Church on Tuesday June 22 at 12:30PM.

A private graveside burial for the immediate family will be at Greenwood Memorial Terrace Cemetery.

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Published in Spokesman-Review on Jun. 16, 2021.