David N. Purdie, 83, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025, at his home in Salt Lake City after a 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on December 11,1941 in Salt Lake City to Neil Harry and Glenna Lavonia Gallagher Purdie.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was active in Scouting reaching Eagle Scout and Silver Explorer. He attended Highland High School and the University of Utah.

After high school, he served in the Air Force for 4 years working with radar at Samsun, Turkey. He forged lifelong friendships, many of which he kept in touch with just before he passed away. He greatly enjoyed the Samsun reunions.

Dave worked at Mountain Bell in the IT department and then retired in 2004. He found retirement did not provide enough of a challenge and so he went back to work in 2007 working in security, retiring again in 2023. He will miss the IT personnel reunions.

He served a service mission for the LDS Church on Welfare Square at the Bishops Storehouse in Salt Lake City, where he met his wife, Cathy Richards, in November 2004. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 7, 2005. He said it was the best move he ever made. He also served 18 years at the Auberge (Silverado) Memory Care Branch as a branch clerk and counselor in different branch presidencies, a calling from the Salt Lake Winder Stake, which he loved and was dear to his heart. He also served in various other positions in his home ward.

Dave had a keen, dry sense of humor. He was a great reader of history, particularly WWII, along with various other subjects. He had many interests including computers, especially Excel. He used this skill in Excel his whole life, always learning new things. He particularly used this skill at Thanksgiving time, his favorite holiday. He would use his legendary spreadsheet to plan out the meal schedule. He had it down to a science. He also loved to cook and would make some delicious gourmet meals.

He also worked hard to maintain a beautiful yard with a plethora of colorful roses for years until he couldn’t any longer due to his health. Many people complimented us on the yard and the huge roses.

He was an unassuming man, never raising his voice. Little known fact: he was romantic. He and Cathy had a wonderful life traveling and discovering new places they hadn’t seen. They did everything together. They enjoyed each other’s company. He was always interested in new things and how they work. His wife will miss him immensely.

Dave is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kristen Leigh, his parents, and 3 brothers: Tom, Reid, and Scott. He is survived by his loving wife, Cathy, three sons from his first wife Arlene: Kevin (Kaya), Kurt, and Kelly, 4 sisters: Susan McDonald (Gary-deceased), Sally (Rod) Dean, Heidi Lopez and Cindy Purdie, sister-in-law, Debbie Purdie, 3 granddaughters, 3 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Dave kept an active relationship with his stepson Mark Gilbert (Shelley), from his previous wife Jacqulyn, who passed away on December 2003.

Thanks to our Huntsman Cancer family team: Dr. Garrido, Dr. Scaife, Ambre, Lauren, Bethany, Connie, Preston and others that helped us through this whole journey. Thanks to Dave’s Huntsman at Home Hospice team: London, Katie, Blair, Mary, Julie and John. Thanks also to IMC nurses and doctors, Aspen Ridge West Rehab Center, firemen and paramedics that helped him get back on his feet. We also want to thank the ward and branch members who brought in soup and food, and friends and family who have visited with, called or enquired about us. It is all greatly appreciated.

A viewing will be held Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 pm and Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 9:30-11:00 am. Both viewings will be held at the Skyview Ward, 1361 East 4000 South. Funeral will follow at 11:30 am.

The burial will take place Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery at 3401 S. Highland Drive, at approximately 1:15 pm. The grave will be dedicated by Steve Richards, a brother-in-law.