David C. "Dave" Sturdevant, 76, passed away on Nov. 7, 2024, at his home in Juneau of brain cancer.
Dave was born April 5, 1948, in Centralia, Washington, to Clint Sturdevant and Ruth Reeder Sturdevant.
He first came to Wrangell in the summer of 1959 to gillnet with his uncle "Duke" Chase (Bertrace "Sturdy" Chase). Dave's entire family moved to Wrangell in June 1960.
Dave enjoyed playing basketball while attending school in Wrangell through 10th grade. He transferred to a high school Outside to graduate in 1966. He spent summers fishing on his dad's boat, the Patrol, and through his college years at Stanford University. He received his master's degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks studying sockeye salmon ecology. He retired from a career with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in Juneau.
Dave loved Southeast Alaska and enjoyed spending time at his family's cabin near Juneau, traveling and birdwatching around the world, cross-country skiing and hiking.
He was preceded in death by parents Clinton T. Sturdevant and Ruth Reeder Sturdevant; and sister Jean Sturdevant.
Dave is survived by his wife Susan Baxter; daughters Lissa Sturdevant and Blythe Barton; four grandchildren; siblings Molly (Mary), Bill and Jim, and half-brother Bob Sturdevant; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins Sheila Denney Galindo (Ed), Sharon Denney Horsman (Robert) and Rosie Chase Huntemann (Gene) from Wrangell.
"Dave loved his upbringing in Wrangell and it was the foundation for how he lived the rest of his life," his family wrote.
A celebration of life is planned for the end of July 2025 in Juneau.
Cards and letters may be sent to his wife at: Susan Baxter, 2551 Vista Drive, C302, Juneau, AK 99801.
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