David A Selle

David A. Selle, 74, passed away at his West Richland home, July 21, 2015. Dave was born January 25, 1941 to Belva G. Cramer and Frank H. Selle in Sandpoint, Idaho. He attended grades 1 through 12 in Sandpoint. He loved growing up in Sandpoint, playing on the beach and swimming in Lake Pend Oreille. Dave held his first job at a service station at age 12 and continued to work throughout high school, hoping to save enough money to buy his first car. After graduation, Dave joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the Nuclear Submarine Division and was a certified scuba diver. Dave was very proud to have served 22 years in the Navy and loved serving his country. He retired as a Master Chief in 1981. Dave was an avid fisherman, hunter, boater and cook. He could tell a great “fish” story and remembered catching his first fish at age 6. Dave was excellent at barbequing and smoking meat and participated in many Pit Master barbequing competitions with his sons. Together they won several awards. He loved jet boating; he and his buddies made several daring trips down Hell’s Canyon. Dave had many other talents. He took great pride in his home and yard and had a knack for growing an abundant vegetable garden. He also restored a 1963 Ford Falcon which was similar to the first new car that Dave bought in his younger years. He was a life-long learner and most recently learned how to fly a drone. Dave was very intuitive, and was successful at about any task set in front of him, which speaks to his great work ethic. Dave was employed at Energy NW, and at the Hanford Area and most recently worked as an Electrical Planner and Engineer. In Dave’s early Navy years, he married Cheryl Coffey. They later divorced. Together they had three children, Craig, Jeff and Jana. Dave then married Helen (Gardiner) Selle and became “Dad” to her daughter, Sarah Jane (Ybarra). In 1973 Dave and Helen had another daughter, Donna Selle. Helen and Dave divorced in 1977. Dave has spent the past 34 years of his life married to his love, Susan Waddoups Selle. They were married in the Idaho Falls L.D.S. Temple in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Together they raised two sons, Robert and Michael, and have lived in West Richland for the past 32 years. Dave loved his seven children, 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and was very proud of their accomplishments. Dave is survived by his wife, Susan; four sons, Craig Selle of Alaska; Jeff (Susan) Selle of Post Falls, Idaho; Robert (Caitlin) Selle, Spokane, Washington; Michael Selle of West Richland, Washington; three daughters, Jana Selle, Florida; Sarah (Richard) Ybarra, Florida; Donna (Lance Dameron) Selle, Boise, Idaho; 13 grandchildren, six great grand children; one brother Dann (Tammy) Selle, Spokane Valley, Washington; one sister, Donna Storey, Lewiston, Idaho. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Larry Selle, and brother-in-law, Buzz Storey. A military honors service will be held at the Pinecrest Cemetery August 22 at 1:00 p.m. in Sandpoint, Idaho. Friends and family are welcome to attend. A luncheon will be held following the service.