David Walter Hargis

October 5, 1937 - November 25, 2020

CHULA VISTA — David Walter Hargis died peacefully on November 25, 2020, as modestly and gently as he had lived. Maren, his wife of 61 years, his children, grandchildren, his sister, nieces, and nephew spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at his bedside, telling him how much and why they had loved him. As the eldest in the family, he had taken on a patriarchal role for most of the family.

Dave was born in San Diego, on October 5, 1937 to Celestia Straub Hargis and David Albert Hargis. His father, a naval radioman, was sent to Alaska before Word War II, and the family spent most of the war years in southeastern Alaska. Dave has a near idyllic childhood in Sitka and Ketchikan, enjoying the natural beauty of his surroundings with minimal adult supervision. His brother and sister were both during the war in southeastern Alaska. After the war, the family returned to San Diego and settled in Normal Heights. Dave graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1955 and then attended San Diego State College.

Toward the end of 1957, Dave was called to active duty by the Naval Reserve, and he served first, first briefly, on the Pacific Coast. He was then sent to Japan, where he served in Yokohama until November 1959. He married Maren Moser in Yokohama on February 12, 1959 and they returned to San Diego in December, 1959. In January, 1960 Dave was offered a job as an estimator at University Mechanical and Engineering Contractors, where he remained as chief estimator until retiring, after more than forty years, in 2002.

Dave and Maren settled in San Carlos, where they raised their three children, David L., Elaine, and Sarah. They were Members of Our Lady of Grace Church for more than 50 years, and Dave served as the Cub Scoutmaster and as the president of the Parentteacher Group. Dave and Maren were active Sierra Club members, and the whole family enjoyed camping, backpacking, rock climbing and mountaineering. Dave, an avid sailor and a member of Harbor Sailboats sailing club, enjoyed sailing in the San Diego Bay and beyond with friends. Dave and Maren travelled at home and abroad, as near as Butterfield Ranch RV Park in the Anza-borrego Desert or as far as the west coast of Ireland. Dave also did volunteer maintenance in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, near Julian.

In 2017, Dave was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which robbed him first of vigor and gradually and finally of his mobility. However, PD failed to take away his intrinsic patience and kindness, which shone through his face until he died. Dave is survived by his wife, Maren, and their three children: David L. Hargis (Janet); Elaine Evins (Craig); Sarah Hargisghemanth (Remus); seven grandchildren, and the three greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Walter Hargis (Elizabeth); his sister, Mary Jo Chinchar; three nieces and four nephews.

Services were held for Dave on December 16, at Miramar National Cemetery. Donations in his memory can be made to the San Diego Food Bank or to the local Parkinson’s Association.