David F. Doughman

Originally from Edison, MN, David grew up on a cul-de-sac, where as a young child he asserted himself as “the leader of the gang,” spearheading bike rides and other activities with the other kids on the block. As the guy who everybody could relate to, and with whom everyone felt most comfortable, his house would later serve as the central gathering place for his high school friends, as well as the starting (and often ending) point for weekend endeavors.

David played several sports recreationally growing up. He swam, played tennis, and even had a shortly lived foray into football that ended with an injury shortly after earning a spot on his high school team. But like any Minnesota kid, he spent a great deal of his youth on the pond playing pickup hockey with his neighborhood peers.

After high school, David spent parts of two school years at one hockey-mad school, Union College, then transferred to another hockey-mad school, the University of Minnesota, where he graduated summa cum laude.

A few years later, he enrolled in law school at the University of Oregon, where he would meet his wife, Nicole, at a party. Their first date saw David join Nicole’s KWVA campus radio show as a guest cohost. He loved the experience so much that he got his own KWVA time slot, which he would fill for Eugene, OR, listeners for three years.

David would go on to very quickly work his way up to partner at a law firm that served local Oregon city and county governments, and he would spend two decades tending to clients, often fielding inquiries and working through their legal crises at odd hours to make sure their needs were met. He would leave the firm in 2023 and shortly thereafter become an independent hearing officer of land use cases around the state. David was never short of repeat business from counties that relied on his unmatched competence and unfailing fairness.

In his personal time, David had many musical interests. Although he ditched the cello after his parents attempted to develop an affinity for it in him as a kid, it didn’t stop him from dabbling in guitar and synthesizer, and making his own electronica music in his teenage years and early adulthood. For his first-ever concert, he went to see Kiss, a childhood passion. While it’s suspected that he had designs on joining The Replacements’ fan club board as an adult, the guess is that Minnesota Vikings football, Minnesota Wild hockey, and fantasy football GM responsibilities, which he treated with the same care and attention of a land-use case, probably occupied too much of his free time.

In his northeast Portland neighborhood, many friends and neighbors knew David as a witty, empathetic, and affable human being that never wanted anyone to feel unwelcome, unappreciated, or on the outs in any way. Those in his orbit always appreciated their conversations about sports, politics, and adult life, in general, in his moments away from the office. David went out of his way to make everyone around him feel comfortable; it often seemed like his life mission was to make sure no one ever ended up disappointed in or unhappy with him for any reason.

David is survived by his wife of 23 years, Nicole Doughman Markey; his son, Blake; his daughter, Audrey; and his mother, Carol Doughman of Edina, MN.

A memorial for David will be held on Saturday, November 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Ross Hollywood Chapel in northeast Portland. Donations can be made in David’s name to the Oregon Food Bank.