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Harvey Funai wrote:
Dwight, passed peacefully, too young at the age of 73. he had a heart of gold, was loyal to his family and friends, and was the most generous individual that I have known. His daughter, Katie, husband Shawn, and their daughter, Lily, live in Hawaii. Son Drew, lives in California.
Dwight played in the Bothell High School band and ran track. He tape recorded himself in high school singing "In My Room," I discovered it and listened to it: he was a terrible singer—end of story. His love of cars had him owning some great ones: MGB convertible, 1966 Chevelle SS 396, Porsche, Cadillac with seat massager, Lexus, and his yellow tin can pop up lights Miata, which sits in his garage.
The stories he told were mostly exaggerated, but as one of my cousins said, it made them more entertaining to listen to. Mom and I agreed that whatever Dwight told us, divide it by half and that probably was closer to the truth. After Mom passed, I told Cindy (Dwight's better half) that Mom and I had discussed that she was the buffer between Dwight and us and that if she ever mentioned that she was going to leave him, we would write her a very large check to have her to stay with him.
Family, friends, and country (USA) meant everything to Dwight. He enjoyed golf, traveling, and eating at elegant restaurants, Izumis, and Dick's Drive-in. He fought a courageous battle against cancer and maybe would have continued the good fight if there was any hope that he could travel to Hawaii to see the [new] love of his life one more time, granddaughter Liliy, who just turned three. She played the ukulele and sang "You Are My Sunshine" to help her Grandpa feel happy and not sad: it made Dwight smile and cry at the same time every time he watched the video of Liliy. He loved UW sports and somewhere got the nickname DUBS. One time I used his tickets to the UW men's basketball game and the person that sat next to Dwight said he really got mad when the team was losing, like pissed-off scary mad.
He was a Vietnam era veteran and served in the U.S. Army’s Strategic Communications Center at Fort Shafter. He led fundraisers for the Cancer Lifeline and Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was inducted into the Northshore School District’s Wall of Honor for his contributions to our community. He retired as a Senior Vice-President for D.A. Davidson where he excelled in investment sales. Godspeed and rest in peace, big brother. On second thought, hit the golf course in heaven, give everyone a hug for us, and try to remember no f-bombing when you hit your golf ball in the water or you might be sent to "the other place that is really hot." I want to thank Everyone in advance for being there for Cindy, Katie, Shawn, Liliy, Drew, Diane, me, and our family and friends. Warmest regards. Love from the Funais.
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John Thomas (Tom) Van Berkem
While I havent done a good job keeping intouch with classmates Dwight was always the one who would comment on my life. he kept the mental link for me to the class. when i read this just now it actually took my breath away....didnt know that phrase was for real until now. i remember his encouraging me all the way back to basketbal at the old school in woodinville. And i swear her was aways the most optimisticperson in the room. too young................. too good a person..........
Tom Van Berkem
Yves Mosse
As I learned the sad news, I felt as a great cold had seized me. Dwight was an unforgettable classmate with his kindness, his optimism and his boisterous laugh. We kept exchanging mails until last june. He faced illness with great courage and fortitude. He reminded me his travels through southern France and told me his great pride in his family. Dwight was a marvellous man with a remakarble life so american and so opened to the world. Our class was privileged to have him among our ranks. It was a great honor for me to have known him.
Ron Poarch
Dwight and I became good friends after our 40th class reunion. I knew who he was and he knew who I was in high school, but we did not socialize while in high school. I was fortunate to spend time with him the Thursday before he passed and we had a good conversation where we were able to share things from our pasts and especially share some laughter in that afternoon. He was the glue that held our class together and he will be greatly missed. I can't believe he is gone. We are all better for having you in our life and now you are at peace. Until we meet again in the next life.
Judi Egbert (Egbert)
Dwight, with such a heavy heart, but with memories of you that bring a smile. Thank you for your sincerity, sense of humor, energy, determination, community citizen making a difference, being a stalwart supporter and promoter of BHS classmates! You will forever be missed, but your legacy will always be among us! Thank you for being YOU!
Judy Miller (Ho Ching)
Had not heard from Dwight since the beginning of the month and was awaiting the pictures of his beloved POP. Since I loved his parents like my own, I always thought of him as my brother. I was so sad to hear of his passing, but know that he was missing his mom on his birthday a few weeks ago and know he's happy to see her again and to end his own suffering. I have never kept up much with our class, but Dwight always kept me up to date with emails and visits when I would be at his parents. I will miss him so much as I know all his close friends will. Love you Dwight!
JoAnne Carver (Dandin)
I knew Dwight through most all of my school career. Always remember him with a smile on his face. We reconnected a few years back. He always had a story to share from his latest (golfing) adventure. He shared one about Chelan,WA where my grandmothers had lived. He shared his golfing round there and added pictures. The golf course actually was near where my mom had grown up. It brought my history back to me. Dwight did things like that. He will be missed.Don Wright
Dwight was the light in the room and a friend to all. As others have said he was a key to keeping the class together a task that now falls to us. After we moved to Montana I would try to meet Dwight at the first Saturday breakfasts or for lunch on visits to Seattle. The pandemic forced us to keep up by phone and email. Although blessed in life by a great family and many many friends, he was cursed by cancer that has taken so many classmates. Many many tears have fallen with his passing......deservedly so.
Janice Gunderson (Wherry)
I send my condolences to Dwight’s family and all of his close friends. He was a marvelous man, and I was deeply saddened to learn of his passing. He truly will be missed by all. Jan Wherry
Jerry Hines
I met Dwight in 1962 and was immediately impressed by his good humor, generosity, reliability, and competitive nature. For 58 years Dwight remained the same amazing role model, and we'll treasure his memory & friendship forever.
- Jerry
https://www.alcan5000.com/JPG/Dwight1962.jpg
Rod Jussel
I reconnected with Dwight about 10 years ago during our coffee klatches. The thing I remember the most is that if some one was sick, or lost a loved one, he always said, "Send them a card!" He was really a caring person and always put others before himself; he would always listen to what you had to say very intensely, just like he lived life! He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family; our prayers are with you. Rest in peace, Dwight!