David Christopher Northrup
David (Chris) was born on February 27, 1959 at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, to Charles and Angie Northrup. He died on December 10, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas. He was buried with full military honors on December 21, 2009, at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
David grew up in the little town of Cle Elum, Washington until 1976 when he moved with his father and step-mother, Barbara Northrup, to Yakima, Washington. There he attended West Valley High School and earned varsity letters in track both his junior and senior years. In 1977 he joined the Army and that summer took basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri returning to complete high school and graduate in 1978.
He began his 4 year active duty enlistment in 1978 at Ft Riley, Kansas, with the 1st Infantry Division as a medical specialist. In 1980 he was in Korea flying with a medical helicopter unit at the DMZ. He returned to Ft. Riley and was discharged from active duty in 1982. David joined the Kansas National Guard and enrolled at Trinity College in Olathe, Kansas, where he participated in track for four years specializing in the 1500, 5,000 and 10,000 Meter events graduating in 1986. He continued his activities in the National Guard, attend OCs and received a commission as a 2nd Lt and later a promotion to 1st Lt. David returned to active duty during Operation Joint Endeavor in August 1996 and serve as a Medical Specialist in Germany attached to the hospital at Manheim Air Force Base until April 1997.
In 2001 he qualified for a 50 week training program as a cytology specialist at Ft. Sam Houston then moved to San Antonio. After his training he worked for the State of Texas as a cytologist before being recalled to active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom and was stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas, for two years before returning to San Antonio where he joined the 10th Bn, 4th Bgd, 100th DIV to continue his work as Medical NCO, training other reserve NCOs.
David received numerous awards during years of service to his country. These include 2 Commendation Medals, 5 Army Achievement Medals, 4 Army Reserve Achievement Medals, and a Good Conduct Medal.
HE SERVED HIS COUNTY WITH HONOR
FOR 31 YEARS.
He is survived by his father, Charles D Northrup, stepmother, Barbara Northrup, mother, Angie L. Strand, stepfather, Rodney Strand, sister, Karen Ballentine and husband, Steve, stepsister, Diane Jones and husband, Audie, stepsister, Robin Addington, stepsister, Kim Stewart, stepbrother, Brian Stewart and wife, Unok and numerous nieces and nephews.