Obituary of Dave Brittell

Dave Brittell was a dedicated servant to the State of Washington, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and to the natural resources and citizens of Washington for 38+ years. His trademark leadership mantra of “Hard on Issues and Soft on People” resonated both internally and externally with staff, peers and our constituents. Dave was a respected leader and a recognized advocate for fish and wildlife throughout his entire career. He was well known and well thought of by peers in the Department and by the staff and members of all the other natural resource agencies and conservation groups with which we work. He was recognized with the Wildlife Society’s Leadership in Conservation Award in 2010, a testament to his overall career and legacy of acquiring and protecting approximately 300,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat and recreational lands in Washington. We are able to readily point at the land that Dave conserved as something lasting and tangible, his overall impact on conservation extends to things less well defined. Dave developed and fostered many positive professional relationships. These positive relationships will continue to benefit the Department and Washington’s natural resources for years to come. His dedication and commitment to public service made him a great ambassador for the Department and has been appreciated by many of the citizens of Washington. Dave was a friend, mentor and leader. The family has established the Dave Brittell Memorial Scholarship Fund. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can go to any branch of Sterling Bank and make a deposit. Funds will go to students wanting to study wildlife at a college in the northwest. Dave TwoBear – written for Dave Brittell and read at his retirement party by Tim Quinn Small fish gatherer