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David (Dave) W. Goens MISSOULA - Dave W. Goens, 61, of Missoula, passed away of natural causes Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003. He was born March 5, 1942, in Kansas City, Mo., to Dale and Margaret Goens. In August of 1949, the family moved to Cedar Crest, NM on Albuquerque's mountainous east side. Dave was in Sandia High School second graduating class. After high school Dave attended UNM for his Freshman and Sophomore years of college. Summer jobs were in the Laramie, Wyoming area working in a lumber camp and the Forrest Service his last year. While working in Wyoming, Dave met the love of his life, Donna. Dave joined the Air Force in 1962, Dave and Donna were married in April 1963 in Laramie, Wyo. Two lovely daughters were born of this marriage. He attended the University of Oklahoma while in the Air Force, graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree Dave was a Vietnam Veteran, earning the Bronze Star, For Meritorious Service for the period of April 25, 1969 to April 23, 1970. He continued his active service through 1971. After his service in the military, Dave went to work for the National Weather Service and was also involved with the National Fire Weather Program. Dave returned to the military, joining the Air Force National Guard while working for the weather service he later retired from the Guard with the rank of captain. While employed with the National Weather Service, he was instrumental in leading the National Weather Service and Western Region into modernization of the fire weather program. While he was in the NWS he attended the University of Montana, receiving his master's degree in Forestry in 1979. He retired in 2000 as station manager of the Missoula office. He served as a deacon of Trinity Baptist Church and enjoyed teaching Sunday school. He was an avid fisherman and met regularly with fellow retirees to plan trips. He loved to hunt and hike with his wife. Dave was a loving, devoted husband, a wonderful father and the best Papa a grandchild could hope for. He is survived by his adoring wife of 40 years, Donna of Missoula; daughter, Deidre and husband Richard Stuber and their children, Amanda and Tyler of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter, Robin and husband Dave Schreider and their children, Jeff and Lauren of Austin, Texas; parents, Dale and Margaret; sister, Linda and her husband Rob Nezzer; of Cedar Crest NM and brother, Jerry and wife Susan, Albuquerque, NM. Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2003 at the Trinity Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the building fund at Trinity Baptist Church, 3020 South Avenue West, Missoula, Montana 59804 Arrangements were under the direction of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory, Missoula.
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