David R. Kooken

David Richard Kooken was born December 11, 1924 to Mildred and George Kooken in Cumberland, MD. During his youth he lived in West Virginia and Maryland until enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1942. After training he was stationed in Corvallis, Oregon, until he was sent to serve in the Pacific as a telephone fieldsman. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and then attended the University of Oregon, majoring in education. He married Betty Walden in 1946 and moved to Battle Ground, WA, where they lived until she passed away, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary. Their daughter Kayda Kooken Mitchell and son Phillip Kooken were raised in Battle Ground. Dave taught in the BG school district where several thousand students benefited from his wealth of knowledge, his ability to making learning interesting, his common sense guidance, and his technical skills in and around the stage setting. As senior class advisor for many years, he stayed in touch with former students and attended many high school reunions. His volunteer work included Kiwanis, BG city council, Board of Directors for the (then) Clark County Teachers Credit Union. He also found time to build a beach cabin with friends, build his home in BG, and rebuild a caboose. Because of his east coast family ties, he would travel with his family nearly every summer, visiting 48 states along the way. In 1997 he married Margaret Aerni Hummel and they enjoyed retirement together until she passed in 2019. They lived in Vancouver, WA, where they had a garden railroad that they enjoyed building together. They traveled around the country several times in an RV visiting garden railroads, vintage trains, and the WWII museums. After Margaret’s passing he moved to Sherwood to be closer to his family, especially his great-granddaughters. At age 96 he helped build them a treehouse. Dave was predeceased by his parents, his brother Joel, his sister Linda, his sister Frances, his grandson Kyle, and stepson Kevin Hummel (Shelly). He is survived by sister Gretchen (Paul), his daughter Kayda (Ben), son Phil, stepsons Bruce (Naoko), Brent, his granddaughters Katie (Michael), Sara (Kurtis), Elena, grandsons Keith (Sarah), Josiah and 4 charming great granddaughters. The Celebration of life for Dave Kooken will be Saturday, June 3, 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 1205 Deborah Rd, Newberg, Oregon. Please give donations in lieu of flowers to The American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org/diabetes), Friends of Netarts Bay (Netartsbaywebs.org) or the charity of your choice.

David R. Kooken

December 11, 1924 - March 26, 2023