David Joseph Kleindienst

David Joseph Kleindienst, age 77, of Boulder City (BC), Nevada, passed away peacefully on July

12, 2020, his children by his side, after a valiant battle with complications of a myocardial infarction suffered on July 4, Independence Day. Dave was born on July 3, 1943 in Los Angeles (LA), California to David Joseph (‘Joe’) Kleindienst and Margaret Beecher Kleindienst. He grew up in Southern California, graduated from La Puente High School in 1961, and went on to earn an Associate in Arts Degree in 1964 from Mt. San Antonio College. He had three children (Lisa, Philip, and Stephen) with his wife Margaret (Skarrow) Kleindienst (married 03/22/1970).

Dave learned kindness and empathy, and great cooking skills, from his mother. From a very early age he loved to work with his hands, learning responsibility and craftsmanship from his father, a machinist and talented woodcarver. Dave took every opportunity to build or repair virtually anything, including countless boats and cars over the years for friends and family alike. Dave was a lifelong fan of drag racing from its earliest days in LA. An avid outdoorsman, he cherished growing up in California where his love of muscle cars and fast boats blended perfectly with the plethora of opportunities for fishing, hiking, hunting, and other pursuits in the natural world.

Dave combined his love of technology and nature with his 30+ year career as a land surveyor for LA Department of Water and Power, enabling him to work outdoors while exploring and ultimately taming the wilderness of the American Southwest and Colorado River Basin. After a distinguished career, Dave retired on July 2, 1998. It was bittersweet; he loved surveying, consistently turning down ‘promotions’ that would take him out of the field, away from his survey crew buddies and the outdoors he loved. Indeed, these work relationships blossomed into lifelong friendships, epitomized by an annual camping trip to Mount Whitney, where Dave and his family and friends, and their families, converge in a setting of incredible natural beauty for camaraderie, amazing food, some crazy pranks, indelible memories, and lots of laughs.

Dave had a sixth sense for great opportunities, and in 1980 moved his family to Boulder City, Nevada, where his children, and ultimately his mom, flourished. BC was Dave’s forever home; he loved tooling around town on his scooter, seeing countless BC friends, and frequenting favorite hangouts. Dave was a staunch advocate for small businesses, prioritizing BC establishments whenever possible, including his favorite breakfast spot, the Coffee Cup. Dave was quick-thinking and knowledgeable, was current on all the latest happenings about town, and was always eager to discuss local (and national) politics. Dave was an active member of the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club, where he enjoyed taking his family and friends shooting, and instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of responsible lifelong firearm ownership. Lake Mead was Dave’s second home; his passion for boating and any water sport indomitable, his fishing and waterskiing stories legendary. Dave traveled regularly to visit friends and family, always exploring local opportunities for good food and music, great fishing or fast racing, or any other venue to experience happiness with loved ones, but was always glad to be back in BC.

Dave will be remembered as a man who gave of himself to no limit, who made everyone around him feel safe and loved, and who could always liven the mood with a joke. When his loved ones were asked for their thoughts, the most common moniker for Dave was “Superman”. From rowing across lakes, hiking through mountains, braving the frozen tundra, and driving across deserts to help friends, family, and even strangers, to teaching life skills like applied mathematics, fishing and hunting and cooking, mechanical and structural design and repair, and so much more, Dave gave more of himself than any person can hope for in one lifetime. Dave could solve any problem, and practiced his belief that, by teaching, one can lift others to future success. He was patient, nurturing, and above all kind, with a lifelong tendency to adopt stray/shelter dogs. He was a prankster, notorious for his practical jokes, for the best comebacks any Dad could muster regardless of the situation, and for the phrase “You gonna sleep all day!”.

Dave was your best friend, no matter your age, gender, political affiliation, background or circumstance. He gave the shirt off his back, and so much more, with no questions asked and regardless of the situation, the person, or if they could pay him back. Whether going to rescue a stranded boater in the middle of the night, or bailing someone out of jail, Dave came through in your time of need. He brought humor and wisdom to every endeavor, never missing an opportunity to provide succor, comfort, and joy. He was a passionate man in all the right ways, a staunch advocate for those in need, and the glue and gravitational center for so many friends and family alike; his vigor and vitality of body, mind, and spirit will be sorely missed.

Dave is survived by his brother Robert Joseph Kleindienst, his adopted sister Sandra Parker, his three children, Lisa Marie (Christopher ‘Dirk’) Keene, Philip Joseph (Alicia) Kleindienst, Stephen David (Carrie) Kleindienst, and his ten beloved grandchildren (listed in order of birth, Kelly Keene, David ‘Joey’ Kleindienst, Seth Kleindienst, Daniel Kleindienst, Liam ‘Keller’ Keene, Olivia Kleindienst, Kyla Kleindienst, Kloe Kleindienst, Fallon Kleindienst, and Sloan Kleindienst).

A Celebration of Life is planned in Boulder City on Dave’s birthday (July 3, 2021); location and other details to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club, the Boulder City Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice. Family and friends may leave condolences and memories at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com.

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