David Pittelko was born to parents Harvey and June Pittelko on July 12, 1958, in Seattle, Washington, and left this world for his heavenly home on the night of September 8th, after a courageous battle with cancer.
David graduated from Seattle Christian High School in 1976. He really enjoyed debate class, and subsequently there were many a debate at the dinner table. He continued with his interest throughout his life in current events. It was also during his high school years he was listening to a missionary presentation, when he decided to raise money to go to the Philippines for a summer.
After high school David went on to Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and graduated with a BA in Political Science. Growing up skiing, he also joined the hot dog ski club. After college, he decided he wanted to travel and live abroad, so he set out for Europe, and ended up living in London. He also explored many other places in Europe, before he came back to the states. When he did come back to the states he lived in New York City, before moving to San Jose, California, and then ultimately back to Seattle. It was there that he did a career in the security systems industry.
David was a passionate outdoorsman growing up with his dad and his brother, Doug, hunting, hiking, and fishing. The family also took 50 mile hikes in the Olympics for their summer vacations. In fact, David’s ultimate goal was to move to Buffalo, Wyoming, and would talk about it many times with family and friends. This goal helped him to fight his battle with cancer.
Of all the most important parts in David’s life, his faith and walk with God was always his priority. Once he dedicated his life to Jesus, he never stopped. He studied the Bible on a daily basis. Even when he was first diagnosed with cancer, as challenging as it was, he never stopped believing in God, and would go to the cancer clinic and try and give others hope that were suffering. He would say “I try and do that during this hard time for them”. He did this right up until the end.
He is survived by his mom, June, of Seattle; sister Sharon Pittelko Lambuth (John), Des Moines, Washington; niece Melina Lambuth Mantey (Matthew), and their daughter Eleanor, Des Moines, Washington; nephew Jeremy Lambuth (Ryann), Longmont, Colorado; niece and nephew Cansu and Taylan Pittelko, of Mantua, Utah; cousin Jim Slavicek (Genevieve), Bellevue, Washington; Aunt Lynette and Uncle Jim Slavicek, of Spokane, Washington, and many other close friends. David was preceded in death by his father Harvey Pittelko, and brother Doug Pittelko.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Seattle Christian Schools, 19301 Military Rd. S, SeaTac, WA 98188, or to Fred Hutch Cancer Center for cancer research.
