David L. Neitling (1936–2023)

Editor’s Note - It is with a sunken heart we have learned of the passing of David L. Neitling a man who encompassed the idea of civic spirit and tenacious optimism. We met David on one of his many volunteer days where he was patching Riverfront Trail with tools and materials he and his wife Juanita purchased on their own accord. We lost a great one in David. CCCNews stories about David’s work are linked at the end of the obituary.

David L. Neitling, 87, of The Dalles, was born in Stayton, Oregon on May 21, 1936, to Chris and Mary “May” Neitling, the second of three children. His parents taught him the value of volunteering and he did so everywhere he lived. He died on October 6, 2023, due to injuries from a fall.

He spent an active life living in several of Oregon’s small towns. From Klamath Falls to Newberg, to Rainier, to The Dalles and a few others along the way. He was an avid runner, competing in 48 marathons and 2 ultra-marathons. He climbed all of the major peaks in Oregon.

David is a graduate of Stayton High School and St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. He served in the U.S. Army for four years, spending most of his time in Germany. His primary career interest began when he was hired as a teller at First Interstate Bank and eventually became a loan officer. He worked for the State of Oregon Department of Energy and later in the Environmental Department, arranging financing for worthy projects.

David working away on Riverfront Trail in 2020.

You may have seen him over the years working on the Riverfront Trail, sealing cracks or cutting back overgrowth. He may have waved at you and said hello and stopped to ask about your life or cheer on your walk, run or bike ride. You may have seen him cleaning up tree limbs in Sorosis Park or working on the tennis courts. Maybe you met him when he was building houses with Habitat for Humanity. Or it could have been that he helped prepare your income taxes at the Senior Center. Whether you knew him or not, David had a big impact on the community of The Dalles.

David volunteering to remove leaves from Sorosis Park in 2020.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Juanita Neitling, his two children, David and Jennifer Neitling, and his three grandsons, Garrett Neitling, Kai Rifani, and Dane Rifani. He was a loving uncle to Rita, Robert, Joe, Cathy, Donald “Dee,” Jolene, Glenda, and Lynn. His parents, brother Bruce and sister Margaret predeceased him.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ~ Winston Churchill

David’s Memorial Service will be at Spencer, Libby and Powell’s Funeral Home, 1100 Kelly Avenue, The Dalles, on October 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Cascade Cemetery, North Bonneville, WA.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

CCCNews Story on David.

Hot tip on David