Dr. David Engsberg's Passing

Sorry to pass along news of the loss of Dr. David Engsberg in December, 2009. Some of you may have had the pleasure of hiking the Chilkoot Trail in 2002 or canoeing the Yukon River in 2004 with David and his wife Sue.

One of the great joys I've had over 20 years of guiding was the opportunity to spend a period of time in the wilderness with guests from around the world. Here, the trappings and pressures of our industrial society are stripped away. What emerges, in this baser setting, is a window into the essence of our true natures.

I liked Dave. I didn't need to know that he was a dentist or had a social conscience. I knew Dave was a good person from the moment I met him. Great smile, warm personality, and fun to be around.

I have since found out that Dave was indeed a special person. David was a dentist, who's commitment to his profession and social responsibility, resulted in both he and wife Sue deciding to donate his dental equipment and supplies to help the Rainbow Network that specializes in the long-term development of impoverished communities. Doug and Sue felt an attachment to the dental program in Nicaragua, which is composed of a staff of dentists and volunteers who rotate throughout the networks.

David and Sue also did medical mission work in Jamaica and on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona.

Sue contacted us with the news of David's passing:

"Needless to say I am still in shock but carrying on day by day. We had so many fond memories of those two adventures and my advice to anyone contemplating such an adventure, DO NOT PUT IT OFF as tomorrow may be too late. We did have the opportunity to do two medical missions and traveled many miles in our motorhome, one trip driving the Alcan highway to Alaska.

I will never forget the wonderful experience of backpacking the Chilkoot Pass and canoeing on the Yukon River."

Sue can be contacted at daengsberg@embarqmail.com