David Allan Young

David Allan Young January 6, 1943 – March 20, 2017 Pacific Beach – David “Dave” Young, passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack at his home on March 20, 2017. Dave was born January 6, 1943 in San Francisco, CA to Robert and Evelyn Young. He grew up in Los Altos, CA; graduated from Los Altos High School and went on to attend Foothill Junior College. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Oregon and a Master of Arts in English from San Diego State University. Dave met the love of his life, Jean Hanchett, in Palo Alto, CA in 1963. Dave and Jean continued to keep in touch while she attended the University of Oregon as a freshman and he served in Vietnam in Army Special Forces. When he returned to the States, he followed Jean to the University of Oregon and they graduated together in 1969. They remained in Eugene, OR while Jean received her Bachelor of Interior Architecture. He was an avid “Duck” supporter and proudly flew the University of Oregon flag on game days. Dave and Jean were married in the summer of 1969 in Los Altos, CA. Dave was recruited to teach by the San Diego Unified School District. Jean and Dave moved to Pacific Beach, CA in 1970 where Dave started his career as a high school English teacher at Morse High School, where he taught from 1970-1985. He went on to teach at Mission Bay High School until his retirement in 2003. Mr. Young was a beloved English teacher in his “Aloha” shirts and Bermuda shorts. He would drive his ’67 Bug replete with surf racks to work every day. Dave learned to surf on his O’Neill board in Santa Cruz, where he and Jean would drive to the beach together from Palo Alto. He was an intellect in so many ways, but a “cool surfer” at the same time – truly a unique combination. Dave was a fixture at the family owned gym in PB, “Fitness West,” and he spent many a morning riding the waves on one of his long-boards at Law Street. He was one of the original “Law Street Locals.” Dave was a great man who taught and impacted thousands of lives, both in the classroom and out. He will be remembered with respect and admiration. Dave is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Jean Young, and his daughters, Dana Klein (Aaron) of San Diego and Marcelle Riddle (Michael) of Eagle River, Alaska. Dave was a wonderful, kind and loving “Papa” to his three granddaughters, Grace Klein and Cora and Evelyn Riddle. He is also survived by his younger brother, Mark Young, his wife Mary, and their two sons Jared and Deven (Caitlin) Young. The family would appreciate your attendance at a Mass honoring Dave’s life at St. Brigid Parish, 4735 Cass Street, in Pacific Beach on May 5, 2017 at 10 a.m. Please dress in your favorite Aloha shirt to honor Dave and his casual way. A celebration of life will immediately follow in the Parish Hall. The interment will be at 2:30pm at Miramar National Cemetery on the same day. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project/National Processing Center/PO Box 758541, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8541