Dave Spencer

David Oliver Spencer died at home, peacefully in his sleep, on February, 15th 2025 following some complications with his heart. David was born at a young age on June 10th, 1950 to Joan and Bill Spencer of Great Falls, MT. The early years were spent making memories with family and friends in his favorite place, Montana. Camping at the family cabin, swimming, fishing, hiking and exploring, with his parents, siblings, Timothy and L. Kathryn. The family had an affinity for dogs, specifically spaniels and golden retrievers. In high school, David joined the swim team and was a proud speech and debater often calling himself a "speech weenie". Upon graduation, in 1968, David attended university for a year before coming home to Great Falls to work construction and save for future endeavors. David returned to school at the University of Montana where he would meet and tutor, Diane Torgerson. At times David would remark that teaching and math created this family- something about going forth and multiplying.

Adventures and education would take David all over the world as he served in the Peace Corps in the late 70's early 80's. During those travels, David became fluent in the Arabic and French languages, conversing and delighting in meeting new people.

David earned a bachelor's in religious studies and an International Business degree and eventually earned a Master's degree in education. David proudly talked about the years and summers that Diane would care for the two daughters, Jessica and Kathryn while he furthered his education. He would comment on the shock and awe in seeing how the girls had changed in a week's time.

David saw Diane on Central Avenue, years after they had met at U of M. David knew that her last name was Torgerson but couldn't remember her first name when calling for a date mistaking the name as "Debbie". Diane agreed to go out with David and the rest, as they say, is history. The two were married in 1986 and remained married for 39 years, until David's death.

At the start of their marriage, Diane and David spent a year in a long-distance marriage while Diane taught in Forsyth and David started his teaching career in Crow Agency. The next year, Diane got a job in Hardin and the pair made their home in the South Eastern part of Montana. They rented until they were able to buy a shack on the outskirts of Hardin that they worked and improved for the next 15 or so years. David was so proud of the low purchase price of the home that he said, "Dad, some people spend more on their car than I did on this house!" Bill responded, "Yeah, but at least those people could live in their car!". I guess that witt is a familial trait. In a fortunate happenstance, the two spent from 1999 until 2023 living at Two Leggins where they built a beautiful home and groomed and cared for a lush property. It really was their dream home. We all wish we could have cut the place out and moved it to wherever we were going.

In 2011 David and Diane celebrated their graduation from middle school in conjunction with Katie's graduation from high school and they settled into retirement after several decades of teaching at the Hardin Middle School. There were travels and parties with Jess and Kate as often as possible from there on out.

David was an avid reader and enjoyed Montana history, especially. The last two years of David's life were spent living outside of Fairfield, Montana. David and Diane were close to both daughters and their growing families. Michael Bolles and Travis Williams joined the family when they married Jess and Katie, respectively. David was proud of his 'sons' and their contributions to the family. There seemed to be a wave of life that was breathed back into David when he got to harass, tease, snuggle, swim with and especially read, with his grandsons, Hudson, Bodhi and Spencer on a regular basis.

Family that remains consists of David's forever love, Diane, daughter's Katie (Travis) Williams of Lincoln and Jessie (Michael) Bolles of Fairfield, grandsons Hudson Bolles, Bodhi Bolles and Spencer Williams, siblings Tim Spencer (Great Falls), Kate Spencer (Geoffrey Branch) (Massachusetts), nieces Michael Spencer, Alex Spencer and Susannah Branch, great-nieces Charly, Quinn, Frankie. David's in-laws were also important to him, extending to the Torgerson's in Oregon, Cleveland, Missoula and numerous family-friends that are just as family to us in Hardin, Billings, Fairfield, Great Falls, Bozeman, Utica and all over the world. The impact of being a career-long teacher is far reaching as well. David was a one-of -a -kind teacher, well respected and fondly remembered as an educator. There was so much pride and glee for him in connecting with current students and reconnecting with others that had crossed his path.

Always quick with a smile, David is known for his witty and edgy jokes. There was joy in getting a rise out of whomever he may be addressing.

David struggled with back pain and depression. Even though he would often express how thankful he was for his life and family, it doesn't take away the difficulty of being in constant chronic pain and the mental toll that takes on both patient and caretaker. David is released of his earthly struggles and pain. For that, we are all grateful. See ya in Butte, Dad.

Condolences to the family may be shared at www.frontierfuneralhome.com