In memory of

Dave Siddoway

Dec 26, 1950
May 20, 2020

Obituary

Dave spent most of his life vision-impaired, and those who knew him best often wondered what he actually saw. It was a great mystery how he could spot an airplane, then walk into a door the next moment. Regardless of what he saw, those that loved Dave saw so much in him.

Dave grew up in an adventurous, outgoing, loving family. From a young age, he spent summers hiking with the Chemeketans and winters skiing at Hoodoo and Mt. Bachelor. Dave became the youngest person to summit Mt. Siyeh in Glacier National Park at the age of 10. He loved his youth and often remarked that he had the best childhood anyone could ask for, with so many outdoor adventures with family and friends, scouting (becoming an Eagle Scout), and his treasured memories from his time as a camper and counselor at YMCA Camp Silver Creek.

Dave graduated from North Salem High School and started college, but preferred to spend his time skiing. As a young adult he followed a dream by starting a restaurant with his good friend, Mike Smith - The Bus Stop Cafe on Court Street. The partners completely remodeled the space with friends, as well as the one next door for The Joker’s Wild Tavern, where the Gov. Cup now is in downtown Salem. Dave married Sue Armstrong in 1976 and they had three children together. Although they divorced later, Dave and Sue were very proud of seeing their kids grow up.

Once starting his family, Dave enjoyed his long career at Walling, then Riverbend Sand & Gravel. Always appreciating the challenge of repairing something, fixing the rock crusher was his favorite part of his job, even once he was in management. Dave also started a business in 1981 with his good friend, Jeff Fox, F & S Security Electronics.

It’s hard to describe the father, son, brother, cousin, and friend that was loved by so many. He was grumpy by nature, had a dry sense of humor, and went through life with a wry smile on his face. He was an amazing cook and always had room at the table for his kids’ friends. He relished his time fishing, especially in Alaska, and amazed us all when he took up skiing again after becoming legally blind. He was known for being able to fix almost any machine, including the pump at Windsor Pool on too many occasions to count. Dave volunteered as a Keizer Fire Department volunteer firefighter in the 1980s and served on the board of BlindSkills. He also served in the National Guard.

Dave died on May 20, 2020, peacefully and in comfort. He is pre-deceased by his father, Dr. Robert “Bob” Siddoway. He is survived by his mother, MaryAnn Siddoway, his siblings, Molly Siddoway King (Jeff) and Richard Siddoway, his children Melissa (Michael) Lindley, Kathryn Bartell, and Scott Siddoway, as well as his two grandsons, Ike Lindley and Conor Bartell, whom he loved deeply.

Our family is grateful for the care and consideration provided by Capital Manor, where Dave lived, as well as the care he received from Willamette Valley Hospice. Dave and his family would be honored by any donations in his name designated to the YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties - Camp Silver Creek.

Our family hopes to have a celebration of life for Dave when larger gatherings are able to occur again. Please check back for updated information regarding date time and location of service.

Service Information

Date/Time/Location TBD
Check back for updated information

Messages of Sympathy

  1. Paula Radakovich says:

    I had the distinct honor to work for and with Dr.Robert Siddoway. He was an honorable man. He and Mary Ann were very kind to me. The world was a better place with him in it. Honest, hard working and a giving person. He is one of the persons in my life that I admired and look up too. I feel honored to have known him.

  2. Steve Turner says:

    I met Dave Siddoway working at Harvey Fox’s Anderson’s Sporting Goods. We were fresh out of high school and we were the basement guys. We installed bindings, waxed and repaired skis and did all things necessary to deliver the equipment to our customers including night deliveries when we were running behind. Scott Taylor, taking a break from his career at U of O, joined us along with Dave Bauer. Jeff Fox was still in high school. Jeff handled all things at the shop that nobody else would do. And Mr. Hoover was our idle. Life was good.

    Dave and I discovered a common connection with Central Oregon. Dave’s family owned a cabin on the Deschutes River near Tumalo and my Grandparents owned a ranch a few miles west of there. Countless adventures with Dave followed.

    I learned some simple lessons in my time with Dave. Do not talk to Dave first thing in the morning and absolutely no questions! Do not tell Dave we need to call for help because something isn’t running properly. When skiing, do not tell Dave “that’s too damn steep” and don’t even suggest we not head over the mountains because the road might be slick.

    Dave was his own unique guy and possessed a unique ability to simply enjoy.

    We were sitting on the toolbox, in the back of his 1960 GMC pickup (the Blue Ox), parked on the edge of an alfalfa field at the Walker Ranch. The weather was warm, and the sage rats were out. Dave pulled out an old peanut butter jar and shook some .22 shells into his hand. There were shorts, longs, long rifle, lead heads, copper heads, hollow points and a few “stingers” all mixed together. Dave would blast away with his random mixture of ammunition. Bang! Crack! Spt. Spt. Pop! Pow! When we finished our day, I gave Dave a new box of 100 rounds of long rifle ammo. The plastic box had a clever slide opener that could be adjusted to dispense a precise number of rounds. Dave opened the container and emptied the contents into his peanut butter jar, closed the lid and gave it a couple of shakes. And smiled.

    Dave was driving Harvey’s new Ford van heading up to Mt. Bachelor one morning. Midway through downtown Bend, Dave announced that we were on fire. The smell of hot wiring and smoke was rolling out from under the dash. We grabbed whatever was available to smother the fire. The motor quit. A short in a wiring connection created enough heat to melt some of the insulation from the wires and stick them together. I told Dave that we should call the Ford garage and have the van towed. Dave looked at me as if I was speaking a foreign language. After disconnecting the battery, Dave started prying wires apart with a pocketknife. I headed across the street to buy a fire extinguisher. Dave told me to just bring him a roll of black plastic tape. After Dave’s re-wiring, we readied the fire extinguisher while Dave reconnected the battery. We held our breath as Dave turned the key. We had ignition! Dave told everybody to hop in, “we’re going skiing!” He turned on the right turn signal and the radio came on. The heater fan control turned on the wipers. It was a beautiful day on the mountain.

    I admired Dave’s relationship with his parents. Love, respect and trust was apparent in the Siddoway family. Dave and I were in Bob and MaryAnn’s Carryall heading west over the Santiam Pass one winter night when we found ourselves in a silver-thaw. We decided we would chain-up at the Santiam Junction. It took Dave 50 yards or so to coax the Carryall into stopping. We proceeded with chains until one chain broke on the ice. We removed the chains and Dave simply crept along keeping one wheel in the ditch for traction. When we got to Detroit, hours later, Dave stopped and called home to let his folks know we were safe. Bob simply told Dave “Thanks for the call, keep one wheel in the ditch.”

    There was a time that Dave and I worked for Crawford Logging Company. I was falling timber and Dave was driving log truck. We were working on a job in an area known as Henry Creek which is rugged country with an exceptionally steep haul road down to the highway. I had some trees to fall above the road and needed to wait for an all clear sign from my partner. As luck would have it, here came Dave, loaded and heading for town. From my vantage point, I was at eye level with Dave as he went by, jake brake roaring. Dave was in the middle of a two-handed shift with an elbow on the steering wheel, sweat running off the end of his nose and a smile a mile wide. Dave was in his zone.

    Sometime after Dave’s vision became impaired, he and I stepped into a café in Salem for lunch. It was a trendy little place with the menu on a chalkboard somewhat high on the wall. You were to order at the counter. I ordered then realized that Dave might need some help. Dave said “Ehhh, I’ll have what he’s having.” The lunch with Dave was great.

    Although our lives went in different directions, I’ll forever be reminded of the adventures Dave shared with all of us.

    Steve Turner
    Kenai, Alaska

  3. Linda and Stephen Black says:

    Molly, Thank you for sharing Dave's story with us. We send our blessings of love to you and your family.

  4. Jan Matney says:

    Dear family,
    It is touching to read your tribute to Dave. You have all been in my thoughts since his passing.
    Warmly,
    Jan Matney, friend of Molly's

  5. Colleen Heaton says:

    What a wonderful obituary. I didn't know Dave, but I do know Molly. Dave sounds like someone I wish I would have known! I am so sorry for your loss!!

  6. Dave Bauer says:

    My friendship with Dave goes back over 50 years. He was a special human. I will miss him so much.

    I have many stories about Dave. At ANDERSON Sportingoods I would sell skies and he would mount the bindings. Sales always wanted to sell faster than the basement guys could mount them.
    Later when I was at Walling Sand Gravel, I had the privilege of hiring him. Since we both worked in the office he came up with the idea for him to go by his initials, RD.(ROBERT DAVID)
    He joined Keizer Fire Department and as you would know of Dave, he was a great firefighter.
    I have many many stories about Dave. But the best ones included us going fishing. One time without thinking, I took Dave bobber fishing for Salmon. I didn't even think about his sight. After a couple hours it dawned on me. What an idiot I was. He said don't worry I'll jerk when I feel the fish. You guessed it he caught a 30lb chinook on the bobber.
    Dave was a quite guy, but his ability with folks was awesome, especially if he knew you.
    He is one of those people that you may not see for a long time, but when you do it's as if you hadn't been apart for long.

    Thoughts and prayers to Scott, Melissa,Katie, and the rest of the family.

  7. Terry Boyer says:

    I am saddened at the passing of a good friend. I met Dave thru business when he was at Walling. I called on him for many years both there and at Riverbend. We had a routine in later years, I would call on phone and when he answered, I would say “ General Lee this general Beauregard, would you be available to go and kill some damn Yankees.” All in a deep southern drawl. We shared many an after work beer and some food at the Canton Garden, did fishing trips on the Columbia and up the Deschutes. He was a good and generous man, he will be very missed. I pray the lord will quickly assuage the grief of all that knew and loved him, leaving only the wonderful memories of one now dearly missed. RIP my friend.

  8. Staff of Johnson Funeral Home says:

    We are honored to serve your family. Thank you for trusting Johnson Funeral Home.

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