David Lincoln Dunbar

Dr. David Dunbar

Dad was born on February 12, 1937 in Daireaux, Argentina to Franklin and Helen Dunbar.

He grew up living in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Oregon.

Dad had a passion for languages and culture as well as teaching and influencing lives. In fact, his dissertation was written in English and Portuguese and entitled "The Unique Motifs of Brazilian Science Fiction". His academic career included a Bachelors degree from San Jose State, a Master's Degree from University of Oregon and a PhD from the University of Arizona. He taught at The U of 0, University of Arizona, Hope College, Calvin University, and Southern Oregon University. He also worked in the administration at Canyonville Bible Academy, and taught and was the Dean of Humanities at Biola University.

Dad's greatest passion was his relationship with God and his family. He met mom at a church in San Jose, when his sister Dawn invited him to come meet the pastor's two single daughters. Dad dated Carol while in school in San Jose and they were married in December of 1963. Together they had four sons, David Jr., Michael, Joshua and Jonathan, Eight grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. After Carol passed and dad had retired, he moved back to Oregon. He reconnected with Mitzie Ponsness, a high school friend, and they were married in 2003. He quickly became a loving father, grandfather and friend to her family.

He had the ability to meet and keep relationships with friends for years from all over the world, and loved to have phone conversations and emails to keep in touch. In his retirement he and Mitzie were able to get a home that allowed them to entertain friends and family. Dad always enjoyed having company and showing people around the property, and the results of his latest project. If you ever stacked firewood with him, you would be hard pressed to keep up.

Dad's relationship with God was rooted in the example set by his missionary parents, and matured through conversations with his brothers and sisters. As he got older, his love and commitment to Jesus grew through his love and study of Scripture, and he often spoke about his anticipation of meeting his Biblical heroes.

We are confident, and rejoice that he is with our Heavenly Father, standing before the throne of grace.