David Trippett

David William Trippett age 37, died May 5, 2012 in Denver Colorado. Self described as a continental drifter, a climber, a structural geologist, and a Ridge-Back lover. Prior to his death David was completing his M.Sc. Degree at the Colorado School of Mines in Mineral Exploration before embarking on a career in Peru. David was born on August 26, 1974, in Longview Washington. After an early childhood in Pueblo Colorado, his family moved to Reston Virginia. He graduated in 1993 from Gonzaga College High School, Washington, DC. David received his B.Sc. in Geological Sciences from the University of Washington in 2001. He traveled extensively both for work and fun completing challenging projects in Patagonia, Peru, Nepal, Mexico and Botswana. David was lucky enough to be able to combine his professional career with his love of rock climbing, and completed many challenging climbs in remote parts of the world. David's noteworthy undergraduate work on erosion in the Himalayas was published by the Journal of Science. Everybody who knew David, or worked with him, acknowledged his enquiring mind, and his ability to understand complex geological problems. David's love of mountain climbing made him unique as a geologist, and he was able to get to places no man had been before. In Katmandu, David's skills as a person, a geologist, and a mountaineer were tested. He fell in love with the Nepalese people, adopted and supported a Sherpa family. He developed many lifelong friends in both adventures, and had learned to speak both Portuguese and Spanish. During most of his travels all over the world, David was accompanied by his faithful dog, Obi. David is survived by his mother Carol Slade and stepfather John Slade of Sydney, Australia, his father William Trippett and stepmother, Linda Trippett of Woodinville, WA, his sister Laura Mastro and brother in law Mike Mastro of Denver, CO, brothers Randy Howard, of Phoenix, AZ, and Scott Howard of Arlington Virginia, his little sister Julianna Trippett of Woodinville, WA, and grandfather Maurice Kent Holman of Phoenix AZ, and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. David leaves his nieces, Aunna Mastro, Heather and Rachel Howard, and nephews Edward, Evan and Alex Mastro, and Taylor Howard, and his beloved dog Obi. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday May 11, 2012 at 11:00 AM Friday, at Horan and McConaty, 1091 So. Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO, 303 757-1238. A reception will follow.