David Scheel

David Charles Scheel, 68, died Monday, June 3, at his home in Missoula surrounded by his family. He suffered from a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Posterior Cortical Atrophy, which he met with grace and courage.

He was born Oct. 5, 1955, to Chuck and Francie Scheel in Billings. He was raised in Billings with his two brothers and two sisters. His parents taught him to ski at Red Lodge Mountain when he was 4. He was passionate about skiing, bicycling, hiking and exploring the Rimrocks near Billings. He worked at his dad’s sporting goods store through high school. From the age of 14 he spent summers at the family cabin at East Rosebud Lake. Throughout his youth, he was constantly drawing in his sketch pad. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1973.

Dave went to the Museum Art School in Portland, Oregon, and later transferred to the University of Montana, where he earned an undergraduate degree in fine arts with honors in 1978. He went to work for Great Harvest Bread Company as it was just getting started and designed its first logo. Dave loved design and art and buildings, which led him to architecture school at Montana State University in Bozeman. He graduated with honors in 1986 and that year welcomed his daughter Ann with his former wife, Connie. He and Connie divorced in 1987.

Dave met Linda Louise Tawney in Bozeman when mutual friends asked them to design and build the float for the Beall Park Art Center for the Sweet Pea Parade. Linda and Dave married at Linda’s family’s cabin on the East Fork of the Bitterroot River in 1989, beginning their joyous adventure that lasted 35 years.

Dave worked as an architect for 10 years in Bozeman and Missoula. His projects can be seen in both cities, particularly in Paxson School and in Craftsman-style houses.

When Linda and Dave’s son Charlie was born in 1994, they looked for an occupation that would allow them time for hands-on raising of their children. Dave was familiar with Great Harvest Bread Company from his work experience with it, and his siblings had opened bakeries in cities on the West Coast. In 1995, they opened Great Harvest Bakery in Missoula. In 1996, their daughter Alpha was born, and both kids grew up in the bakery business. Today, Charlie is the proprietor of the Missoula Great Harvest, carrying on the family trade.

Dave was creative and funny, a great storyteller and always generous. He made amazing pancakes, served with yogurt and fruit, and insisted the syrup and plates were heated up. He was excited and passionate about being a father and drove all over the West for his kids’ soccer games. Dave was a loving and encouraging father and taught his children to share his passion for the outdoors. The family spent every summer at East Rosebud Lake in the Beartooths. He was a beautiful skier and loved to ride his bicycle, riding to work every day and putting snow tires on his bike in the winter.

At the bakery, he cared deeply about his staff, thanked them regularly and created a family of employees who stay in touch. He was kind, genuine, and made those around him feel heard. He was a meticulous man, whether helping the kids with school projects, making a rock walkway at home or shoveling snow off the driveway. He loved dogs and treated Wylie, Woody and Hank as valued family members. Dave loved music and played the acoustic guitar all his life. He was a devoted Christian and attended Bible study every Tuesday morning with the same group of men for 30 years. Dave served on the boards of the Good Food Store, the Poverello Center, and the Great Harvest advisory council, and volunteered at Blue Mountain Clinic. As a seven year steering committee member and fund raiser, Dave was an inspired and optimistic force behind making the dream of a soccer complex at Fort Missoula Regional Park a reality.

Dave is survived by his wife Linda; daughter Ann McElyea (John); son Charlie; daughter Alpha (Dominick Faith); grandsons Ethen and Ryan McElyea; brothers Keith and Mike (Julie); sisters Patty Boeck (Jeff) and Jane Hartfield (Tim); and 17 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Francie Scheel.

Dave was involved in Alzheimer’s research at the University of Washington Memory and Brain Wellness Center with the hope of helping others with the disease. His contribution to that research project will live on for decades.

The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Caldwell, Dr. Brian Schlidt, the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, and Sarah Beckman for their care and support.

The family will hold a service on Friday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at University Congregational Church in Missoula. Burial will be at a later date in the cemetery in Roscoe, Montana, with a view of the Beartooth Mountains. Memorial donations can be made to:

· Partners Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 1262, Missoula, MT 59806

· Five Valleys Land Trust, 120 Hickory St., Suite B, Missoula, MT 59801

· UW Medicine Advancement, c/o gift processing Alzheimer’s Disease Research Fund, Box 358045, Seattle, WA 98195-8045