David Wesley Whittlesey

David Wesley Whittlesey, 77, died peacefully on February 28, 2024, from natural causes. He was a fine woodworker, a Grand Canyon boatman, a veteran, a loyal friend, and a true individual. And he was loved.

David was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1946 to Robert Hargreaves Whittlesey, M.D. and Louinia Mae Whittlesey (née McKinley). He graduated from Hawken School in Northeast Ohio in 1964. He enlisted in the United States Army Security Agency in 1966, serving until 1970. He trained as an Amharic linguist and a radio traffic analyst before serving from 1968-69 with his unit—Company B, 8th Radio Research Field Station—under the 509th Radio Research Group located at Phu Bai in the Republic of Vietnam. He was subsequently stationed at Camp Alamo in South Korea from 1969-70.

Following his discharge from the Army, David traveled extensively throughout Asia. Upon returning to the U.S., he spent nine months living alone at his family cottage on Higgins Lake in Roscommon, Michigan, while he readjusted to civilian life and took courses at a local college. He then lived on the west coast of Vancouver Island in a driftwood shack before eventually finding his way to Prescott, Arizona, where he remained for over 50 years.

David attended Prescott College, where he immersed himself in the study of photography under the tutelage of Jay Dusard, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975.

After graduation, David completed an apprenticeship in the trade of residential house construction and cabinetry. He continued to hone his skills in all phases of construction, specializing in custom homes and woodworking. In 1991, David opened his own custom woodworking business in Prescott, which he operated until 2021.

David loved the beauty and solitude of the great outdoors. As early as he could remember he was off in a little boat rowing around on water. His passion for boating eventually led him to the Grand Canyon. Over the years, David became an avid boatman, developing his skills in a 14-foot inflatable raft on the 280-mile stretch of the Colorado River that winds and occasionally roars through the Grand Canyon from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry.

In 1991, David attempted his first solo trip through the canyon. On November 17, after nearly completing the three-week trip, his raft overturned in the Lower Granite Gorge near Diamond Creek at the west end of the canyon and eventually floated away. Left with no shoes, two broken toes, and 4 knocked out teeth—and equipped with only his shirt and shorts, a life jacket, a knife, and a lighter—David managed to survive for six days on a diet of lizard, grasshopper, and beer. Following his rescue by the Park Service helicopter team, his harrowing and heroic ordeal made the news. In 2011, David and his survival story were the subject of episode 39 (“River of Fear”) of the documentary television series, I Shouldn’t Be Alive.

In addition to his river adventures, David and his friends were lifelong “Burners” who regularly attended and enjoyed Burning Man, which is a week-long desert event built around 10 principles, including decommodification, gift giving, self-reliance, and self-expression.

David was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Robert Hargreaves Whittlesey II (Anne) and Robin Lee Whittlesey (Carl); and his two dogs, Clancy and Luca. He is survived (and will be missed) by his nieces and nephew—Catherine Whittlesey Comstock (Kevan), John Wesley Whittlesey (Katharine), and Aliya Feuer-Whittlesey—as well as his cousins and his great nieces and nephews.