David Stephen Bennett, 82, passed away at his home in Thompson Falls on June 5, 2026, after battling cancer.

Dave was born on June 4, 1944, in Malad, Idaho, to Jack and Katherine Bennett. He grew up near Felts Field in Spokane, Washington, where watching airplanes sparked his fascination with aviation. Even as a boy, Dave displayed the entrepreneurial spirit that would define him throughout his life, running a yard care business and always looking for his next opportunity.

An avid outdoorsman from an early age, Dave loved hunting and fishing throughout his life. After graduating from high school in Spokane in 1962, he moved to Paradise to work on the railroad. Although he later returned to Spokane to attend Eastern Washington University, his heart remained in Sanders County. He loved its people, its beauty, and the endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, and he eventually returned to make it his home.

Dave married Gloria Faught in 1973, and together they built a life centered on family and adventure. They welcomed their son, Andy, in 1976 and their daughter, Rochelle, in 1979. Family life revolved around the outdoors, with camping trips across the country, days spent hunting and fishing, and countless adventures trying every outdoor activity they could.

Dave's childhood fascination with airplanes became a lifelong passion. After returning to Sanders County in the late 1960s, he purchased his first airplane, a Super Cruiser, and built his first airstrip on 160 acres near Trout Creek. He later purchased the Super Cub that became his pride and joy. Painted red, white, and blue in the early 1980s, it became an unmistakable sight in the skies over Sanders County, where friends and neighbors instantly knew Dave was overhead.

Flying represented freedom to Dave. Alongside his fellow pilots, he enjoyed countless flying adventures. He made multiple trips to Alaska and northern Canada, flew into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and explored the Salmon and Snake rivers. He served on the Sanders County Airport Board and was an active member of the Sanders County Pilots Association. There were few weeks in his life when he wasn't in the air.

Dave began his real estate career by helping a cousin in Spokane before returning to Sanders County to work for Evelyn Boyd Real Estate. In 1977, he started his own real estate company, beginning a career that spanned more than 50 years. He also sold Boise Cascade and Stratford homes, owned and managed low-income housing, and purchased real estate contracts to help local residents. Combining his love of aviation with his profession, Dave used aerial photography to give clients a unique perspective of the land they were considering. His photography extended beyond business; for more than a decade, he produced a calendar featuring aerial photographs of Sanders County and western Montana, sharing his appreciation for the place he loved.

His view from the air also inspired his interest in Glacial Lake Missoula. Dave spent decades researching its history and became a member of the Glacial Lake Missoula Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute. He traveled throughout the western United States studying the remarkable landscapes shaped by the ancient floods.

Another lifelong passion was Corvettes. He owned three during his lifetime and often joked that "if it wasn't red, it wasn't a Corvette." Never one to shy away from speed, he traveled throughout the country competing in autocross and drag racing events. Dave also believed in giving back to his community and was a dedicated member of the DUI Task Force, strongly supporting its mission to keep local roads safe.

Honesty was important to Dave. At the same time, he possessed a quick wit and a mischievous sense of humor, always ready with a good-natured prank or a story that left others wondering whether to believe him. Above everything else, he was devoted to his family. He cherished Gloria, Andy, and Rochelle, and always found ways to spend more time with them. His adventurous spirit never faded. He continued snowmobiling well into his seventies and hunted into his eighties.

Dave will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, entrepreneurial drive, love of the outdoors, passion for flight, and unwavering devotion to his family and community. The landscapes he loved, whether viewed from the ground or from the cockpit of his beloved Super Cub, will forever reflect the life of a man who truly lived life to its fullest.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Cathy. He is survived by his wife Gloria of Thompson Falls; son Andy (wife Tracee) of Metaline, Washington; daughter Rochelle of Herndon, Virginia; grandson Johnathan; sister Susan LeMay of Spokane; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held August 1, 2026, at the Power Park in Thompson Falls from 2-4 p.m. The public is invited to attend and share their favorite stories about Dave.