David A. Dodd passed away on February 21, 2026, peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma.  David faced each day with a smile and befriended nursing and medical staff as he attended his monthly and then weekly chemotherapy treatments for four years. He loved to share stories, listen, and share his wisdom.

David was born in Missoula Montana on June 28, 1935, to Albert and Mary Lee Myrtle Dodd, where he grew up on the family farm at the end of Buttler Creek Rd.

David graduated from Missoula County High School in 1953 and attended the University of Montana while working on the family farm until joining the United States Army in 1956.  David served in the army until March 1959. After his service, he returned to Missoula and married Elsie L Johnson on June 13, 1959. They would share the next 62 years until Elsie’s passing in 2022.  He and Elsie moved to a small house near University of Montana, where David returned to his studies and would graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was accepted into the American Chemical Society in June 1962.  During those college years, David worked for the Forest Service standing post and fighting forest fires and worked construction jobs, while Elsie taught 5^th grade school.

After College in 1962, David accepted a chemist position with General Electric Co. in the chemical processing division at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Washington. David loved his work and the people he worked with at the laboratories, primarily the 222-S Lab.  His dedication resulted in being on the phone and reading reports or management material late into the evening.   He often attended meetings with the Department of Energy Laboratory Managers from other sites to progress the techniques, protocols and safety.  David retired after about 35 years, to return as a contractor and then working for Bechtel on design of the new laboratory facility at the Waste Treatment Plant.

David and Elsie raised their two sons, Karlin now of Oklahoma City, OK and Ryan of Richland, WA, encouraging them in their faith and encouraged them to prepare for professional lives.  David loved to talk about work and the personal achievements of the boys as well as love for his  daughters in-law, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren that blessed his life – Karlin’s wife Jennifer and daughters – Kelsie, Lizzie, Olivia and Grace – and Ryan’s wife Leslie and children Cameron Cross, Whitney Wiese (husband Aaron and son Brennen), Makenzie Cross (daughter Zoey Compton) and Justin Dodd (wife Taylor, sons Paxton and Grayson and daughter Addison).  David’s face lit up around his Grandkids and Great Grandkids and there were always M&Ms hidden around the family room for the kids to find.

David was an active member of Southside United Protestant Church from first arriving in Richland.  He held leadership positions on the diaconate, was a teacher, groundskeeper and was always a student of the Word of God.

The family wishes to especially thank the staff and nurses at the Tri City Cancer Center and the Nuclear Care Partners for their loving care during the final four years of his life.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Einan’s at Sunset Event Center on March 21, 2026 at 4:00pm with a buffet gathering to follow.