David Ott Hunter passed away on March 21, 2021 in Richland Washington from age related illness.  He was 92 years old.

Dave was born in Everett Washington on December 5, 1928 to Elmer Dean Hunter and Carrie Ott Hunter.  He was the younger sibling to his sister Francis.  The family later moved to Spokane WA where he graduated from Lewis and Clark High School.  Dave went directly into the Navy after graduation under the GI Bill.  Because of his natural aptitude of electronics he was quickly assigned to ship communications.  He served 2 years towards the end of WWII and was honorably discharged in 1948.

Dave then went to Washington State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.  He later earned a Master of Science in Material Sciences.  He moved to the Tri-Cities area in the mid-50’s to work in the Hanford area outside the fast growing town of Richland Washington.  This is where he met his wife Dewey, and got married in April of 1960.  They celebrated their 60^th anniversary last year.  In the early 70’s Dave moved the family to Pittsburg PA to pursue his passion of being a Research Scientist.  While he thrived at his career, he deeply missed his family roots.  He moved the family back to Richland WA in the mid-70s.

During his Engineering career Dave developed advanced ultrasonic inspection techniques for large utility steam turbines.  This equipment was used to quickly and accurately inspect for subsurface cracks within the turbine blade materials.   He was awarded several patents for this work and received multiple honors from his employer.

In his younger years, Dave was an avid boater along the Columbia River and briefly claimed of having the fastest boat on the river.  He enjoyed snow skiing the local mountain passes and piloting a single engine aircraft.  Dave loved taking road trips with his family including several cross country trips and many short trips along the east and west coast.  Staying true to his love for knowledge and history, these trips included an abundance of museums and important historical sites.  In his later years Dave turned to gardening and cross breeding rose bushes.

Dave was a second generation descendent of the Ott family that emigrated from Germany in the late 1800’s to Ritzville WA.  They made a life farming and operating flouring mills common to the area back then.  Dave learned the value of hard work and embraced his family legacy.  He instilled these moral codes of love and respect within his own family.

Dave is survived by his wife Dewey L Hunter and his two sons Gregory S Hunter (spouse Kathleen J Hunter) and Edward (Ted) D Hunter, and grandchildren Jennifer I Hunter, Michelle J Hunter and Tasha Rodriguez.

Graveside services will be held on March 26th at 1:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, WA.  The family invites you to sign their online guest book below.