David Francis Walsh

Captain David “Dave” Francis Walsh, United States Navy (Retired), passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, at his home in Bellevue, WA. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Dave was the cornerstone of the Walsh family. He was steady, generous, happy, and deeply loved by all who knew him.

Born on May 27, 1948, in Lakewood, OH to Frank and Syble Walsh, Dave grew up surrounded by family, friends, and the values that would guide him throughout his life: integrity, humility, and service. As a young boy, he was known for his long eyelashes, which often helped him charm his way into getting what he wanted. Even as a child, Dave showed the qualities that would define him throughout his life, including kindness, protectiveness, and natural leadership. Whether playing with neighborhood kids or organizing adventures in the family treehouse and fort, he had an easy way of bringing people together and making everyone feel included.

As he grew older, Dave’s confidence, intelligence, and willingness to try new things became increasingly evident. He approached life with determination and curiosity, rarely backing down from a challenge. He could be wonderfully stubborn when pursuing something important to him, working tirelessly to achieve his goals. Dave loved to laugh, have fun, and tease those he cared about mercilessly, and always with affection and warmth. Tenacious, charmingly friendly, and full of life, he left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Dave earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, a Master’s degree in Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, and later completed a business certificate program at Duke University. He began his distinguished career in the United States Navy in 1970 and served honorably for 25 years as a Civil Engineer. The Navy took Dave to new places all over the world (Vietnam, Morocco, Caribbean, Kuwait and more) and of course to Japan, where he met his loving wife, Chiya. They married in 1978.

Dave’s favorite times in the military were with the US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, otherwise known as the Seabees. Their motto is “We build, we fight”, with responsibilities to build out infrastructure in wartime locations and rebuild disaster-stricken areas. He started his military career as a Seabee in the Vietnam War. Nineteen years later he became the Commanding Officer of NMCB Five and oversaw rebuilding efforts in the Caribbean after Hurricane Hugo and the build out of key military bases and infrastructure in the Persian Gulf war. He retired from the Navy in 1995 as a Captain and earned numerous awards including the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.

After leaving the Navy, he moved to the private sector to work in construction management. Eventually, he started his own construction company with two friends called WHH Construction. They would focus on construction contracts led by public agencies, including the Sound Transit rail project to SeaTac Airport and the third runway. After many successful years, WHH was bought out by another company and Dave enjoyed the retirement life.

Outside of work, Dave found joy in life’s everyday pleasures. He loved golf, sports, boating, cooking, and gardening, and he especially enjoyed sharing those passions with family and friends. If you’ve been to a Walsh Thanksgiving, you know the joy that comes with a delicious mix of turkey, football, kids, and whiskey. Whether preparing meals, working outdoors, or spending time on the water, Dave valued connection, laughter, and time together.

Married for almost 48 years with a lifetime spent living around the world, Dave and Chiya were the cutest, kindest and happiest couple. They took care of each other and built a wonderful life, family and home together. Their love, playfulness, and kindness for each other set the standard for what a relationship should be.

Above all, Dave’s greatest joy was his family. He was known for his warm smile, his welcoming presence, and the kind of hugs that made everyone feel at home. Whether cheering from the stands at his grandchildren’s games and performances or traveling frequently to California to spend time with them, Dave was a constant and loving presence in their lives. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he treasured simple moments, especially weekend mornings spent making waffles and pancakes. Together, Dave and Chiya took immense pride in their children and grandchildren, celebrating each accomplishment with joy and admiration.

Dave is survived by his loving wife, Chiya; his sons, Michael Walsh and John Walsh (Elaine); his cherished grandchildren, Josephine, Vivian, Gemma, and Theodore; his sister, Patricia; and his beloved puppy, Chibi. He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and unwavering devotion to family.

A life so richly lived and so deeply loved will always be remembered.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:30a at Sunset Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park (1575 145th Pl SE, Bellevue WA 98007). A graveside service will follow at 12:30p, with a reception from 1:30p-3:30p.