David Bruce Nerbovig
August 9th 1944 – July 26th 2025
David Bruce Nerbovig was a loving father, husband, and friend. He explored his many intellectual and practical interests with a wry sense of humor and curiosity that remains an inspiration to those he leaves behind.
David had deep roots in Sequim. He was related through his mother Annie to both the pioneer families Knapman and Laurenson. He was born in Davidson Haye Hospital in Port Angeles when Annie was 42 years old and his father, Richard was 60. He was raised on dairy farms in Happy Valley and attended schools in the area. David graduated with an Associates degree from Peninsula College on June 9th, 1964 and went on to attend Western Washington State University where he obtained both a Bachelor’s of Arts degree on March 21, 1969 and a Master of Science on December 14th, 1973. He majored in botany, studying Willow trees, and nurtured a keen interest in science for the rest of his life.
He returned to Sequim to care for his parents and look after the family’s farm and forest land. David had a magical gift for fixing things, from hot rod cars and electric guitars to plumbing and broken gadgets of all sorts. He could be both calm and analytic, and these traits served him well when dealing with people as well as machines. He held many handy-man jobs over the course of his life and was dubbed ‘David the Lionhearted’ by a colleague impressed with his ability to deal with daunting problems and the people upset by them.
David was profoundly creative. His skill with woodworking extended beyond cabinetry into sculpture. He also crafted electric guitars from solid blocks of mahogany and maple into unique styles. He transformed broken engines into machines that worked better than they ever had before, especially in the case of hot rod cars. He was an avid photographer, and translated his knowledge of botany and geology into gorgeous images of local plants, rocks, and sunsets. David also developed skill as a regional champion and member of the WAPATI Bowmen archery club, as well as earning a black belt in the Olympic Peninsula Karate Association (OPKA).
David was a great storyteller, finding humor in places others might despair. He had so many medical procedures throughout his life he became capable of translating medical jargon into plain language and was a great comfort to others as a constant source of sympathetic advice. He made many young friends who appreciated his multifaceted interests. He made time to talk, and so many people came to depend on his unique insights. It became a running joke to interrupt whatever he was doing and cry “David! We need your brain!”
David is survived by his wife Bonita Nerbovig, sons Martin Nerbovig (wife Sophia and step-grandchildren Piper, Charley, and Cooper), Ryan Ketcham (his partner Lisa Ferrier), and Cousin Norman Berger and his wife Diane. David is predeceased by his parents Annie and Richard Nerbovig, his in-laws Olga and William Battrick, his cousin Diane Pierce, aunts and uncles Francis Laurenson, Ella Laurenson Towers (Roland), Lilly Laurenson Berger (Jay), and his grandparents Thomas Laurenson (Lena) and Mads Nerbovig (Ragnhild).
David’s family are thankful for the loving care and expertise received at Jefferson Healthcare.
