David Bitter

David Douglas BitterDavid Douglas Bitter was born April 21, 1940 in Toledo, Ohio. The eldest of three brothers he graduated from Waite High School in 1958. One of his proudest achievements was establishing the Order of the Arrow for the Eagle Scouts in Toledo, he was the first to complete and receive the award. He went on to attend the University of Toledo on a full academic scholarship. After two years at U. Toledo he decided to move west. So, he packed up his 1948 Chrysler and headed to the University of Colorado at Boulder where he enrolled in ROTC and pledged the fraternity Theta Kappa Epsilon. Dave was awe struck at the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Some of his happiest memories were of times spent climbing, skiing, backpacking and canoeing. He left Boulder as a "Distinguished Military Graduate" in 1963, he went directly to Augsburg, Germany where he was stationed for the next four years. In 1967 he was sent to Vietnam. He saw severe fighting in the central highlands during the battle of Duc Tho and the Tet Offensive. In 1968 he returned to the states with a Bronze Star, but he said it just didn't mean much to him because of all the men who never came home. It was lost in a fire in 1973 and never mentioned again. Following Vietnam Dave was enrolled in the Army's Foreign Area Specialist Program to train as a specialist in Soviet Studies. He attended the Presidio at Monterey, California where, in addition to German, he became fluent in Russian. In 1971 he received his MA in Soviet Studies from the University of Colorado. From there he was off to Garmisch, Germany to attend The Institute for Soviet and East European Studies and again, in 1973, graduated at the top of his class. From Germany Dave was sent to Washington D.C. where he went to work for the Pentagon. In 1976 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for his work with the Defense Intelligence Agency. While he was on assignment he sent his wife and children to live in his beloved state of Colorado. After being apart from them for over a year he decided this was not what he wanted for his family and resigned his commission in 1977.Dave met Linda Nell Mead on a blind date, thanks to the Hong Kong flu. His original date, a stewardess, came down with the illness and Linda ended up at that fateful Dallas Cowboys football game. They married five months later, April 19, 1969, in Dallas, Texas. His first child Elizabeth was born in Fort Ord, California in 1970 and his son William was born in Munich, Germany in 1972. His family meant everything to him and he made many sacrifices to make sure they were safe and happy. Dave was involved in many business, civic and church activities over the years. He was an involved and dedicated member of Kiwanis for many years. His special gift was encouraging teens through Key Clubs and youth groups to recognize their full potential. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. After his initial diagnosis with cancer in 1987 he participated in the "Relay for Life" many, many times. Dave wanted to raise awareness and increase support for people dealing with this illness. He had a huge community of friends through Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church in Bellevue where he was a member since 1978. The deep friendships he established at St. Margaret's were a great source of strength and comfort.He is preceded in death by his parents Lionel "Doc" and Zeta Bitter of Toledo, Ohio and his in-laws Harold and Opal Mead of Mineola, Texas..He is survived by his treasured wife Linda of Bellevue, Washington. His daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Brian Wavernek of Healdsburg, California. His son William Bitter and Jennifer Eakins of Bellevue, Washington. His unofficially adopted daughter Lorri Bergquist who he loved as his own. His brothers Donn (Sarah) Bitter of Oregon, Ohio and Richard (Mary) Bitter of Sylvania, Ohio. His dear cousin Dale Ann Compton of Kent, Washington. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Dave was a bright light who always had a positive, nurturing effect on those lucky enough to know him.Dave died peacefully Monday May 9, surrounded by family. His memorial will be held at 3pm Saturday May 14 at Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church in Bellevue. Dave died of lung cancer resulting from exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. Please make remembrances to the Disabled American Veterans, Hospice of Seattle or Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church.