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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 2016)
REGION East Oregonian Page 2A Saturday, December 10, 2016 For the love of the game Avid Pendleton sports booster Dave Walters dies at age 68 By KATHY ANEY East Oregonian The mood was somber at Dave’s Chevron on Friday. Shoppers glanced up at a banner hanging from a snow-covered eave as they approached the entrance, some glancing at the words in surprise. “In loving memory of our friend, Dave Walters.” Dave Walters, 68, was found dead Thursday in Arizona where he had gone to escape the chill of winter for a bit. Walters, known to so many in Pendleton for his support of youth softball and baseball, died suddenly and unexpectedly. The cause and exact time of death is so far undetermined. His family and friends were still trying to wrap their minds around the fact they will never see him again. Walters, a 1966 graduate of Pendleton High School, went into business with his father, Gurney Walters, who ran a Chevron station on the southeast side of town. In the mid-’90s, Dave, his wife and son launched a convenience store near Roy Raley Park that became a magnet for those in search of ice cream, coffee, gas or a quick bite to eat. Walters retired several years ago and his wife, Toni, runs the store. Car washes, run by various sports team, are a common sight in the Dave’s parking lot during warm summer days. Hanging inside above the entryway are posters featuring five girls’ softball teams that Walters sponsored last summer. Kristan Garton, who co-coaches two of the teams, said Walters often spent entire days in the stands cheering on young Pendleton softball players. “He was their biggest fan,” Garton said. “And they were his, too.” The players called him “Papa Dave.” When a team was having a rough time, Walters had a ritual. “If the team was struggling, down a couple of runs, Dave would go get a hot dog from the concession stand,” she said. “Some games he had at least two hot dogs. At some tournaments, where he watched six to eight games a day, we weren’t the only team he ate hot dogs for.” Walters’ love of sports took root in his own athletic competition. As a 12-year-old, Walters’ Little League team won second in state. In high school, the left-hander played first base. Later, he found a niche playing men’s softball. Dean Fouquette remembers being a bat boy for one of Walters’ baseball teams and later played slow pitch softball with him on a men’s team. Walters, who also coached, “was a quiet leader who let the guys play.” Fouquette expressed shock at Walters’ passing. EO file photo The Spout Sprint Ski Area will not open this year due to concerns about public safety in the parking lot. SKI: Spout Springs has been in continuous operation since 1920s Continued from 1A said he recently met with Murray to discuss safety concerns in the parking lot. Because it is a Sno-Park, Rassbach said mixed uses are allowed. That includes providing a launch point for snowmobiles to access trails across the highway. About two-thirds of the Spout Springs lot is day use only, Rassbach said, and the remaining third is set aside for trailers and overnight parking. “That’s how it has been managed for quite some time,” he said. Rassbach said the forest has good working relation- ships with local snowmobile groups, and they are trying to make sure everyone plays by the rules. “Through education and enforcement, we hope we can get people parking where they’re supposed to park,” Rassbach said. But that’s not happening now, according to Murray. He said the lot is usually inundated with snowmo- biles and oversize trailers, posing a safety risk to skiers and children. “I’m very unhappy about this,” Murray said. “In my opinion, we’ve just lost control of the parking area.” He’s not the only one upset. Dave Byrd, director of risk and regulatory affairs for the National Ski Areas Association in Denver, said he is aware of the situation and blasted the Forest Service for failing to consider safety first. “Many other ski areas on Forest Service land throughout the West have restricted public snowmo- bile use across their permit ares out of an effort to protect guest safety,” Byrd said. “It’s breathtaking that the Forest Service in the Umatilla Forest isn’t aware of these well-established restrictions at other ski areas, or isn’t willing to allow Spout Springs the same ability to restrict snowmobiles.” Dottie Carrell, secre- tary for the Tollgate Trail Finders snowmobile club, said she was not aware of any parking issues at Spout Springs. Carrell said there are three other large Sno-Parks for snowmo- bilers in the area, including Morning Creek, Woodland and Andies Prairie. “Parking is not a problem in the Tollgate area,” Carrell said. Larry Randall, recreation program manager for the Umatilla National Forest, said their goal is to provide balanced opportunities at the Spout Springs Sno-Park, while making sure safety is the top consideration. “It certainly is a chal- lenge,” Randall said. “It’s really unfortunate (Murray) feels he can’t operate. We want to see that ski area be successful, absolutely.” Spout Springs has been in continuous operation since the 1920s, including the last 18 years under Murray’s ownership. The area was also a Nordic training center for the United States Olympic team and the Norwegian jump team in the 1950s and 1960s. ——— Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastoregonian. com or 541-966-0825. Staff photo by E.J. Harris A banner remembering the life of Dave Walters hangs over the entrance to Dave’s Chevron on Friday in Pendleton. “He really cared about others. He looked at the good side of people.” — Tom Melton, former teammate Contributed photo Dave Walters beams as he poses with Kirah McGlothan, Katie Bradt and Aspen Garton after the USA Explosion/DFM-Richards team won the Valley Invite Softball Tourna- ment in Portland last June. Walters, who helped sponsor the Amateur Softball Association team, watched all five of the team’s games that day and witnessed each girl hit a home run. “He was in great shape,” Fouquette said. “He was lean and mean and took good care of himself.” Another former teammate, Tom Melton, said he will miss Walters’ dry sense of humor and positive take on life. “He really cared about others,” Melton said. “He looked at the good side of people.” As far as his ball playing abilities, Didn’t receive your paper? Call 1-800-522-0255 before noon Tuesday through Friday or before 10 a.m. Saturday for same-day redelivery 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 541-276-2211 333 E. 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Single copy price: $1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday Copyright © 2016, EO Media Group REGIONAL CITIES Forecast TODAY SUNDAY Snow and ice early this morning Mostly cloudy, a shower; chilly 33° 29° 39° 29° MONDAY TUESDAY Mostly cloudy with a bit of snow Colder with clouds and sun Mostly cloudy, colder; p.m. snow PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 34° 17° 21° 8° 19° 6° 9° 21° 8° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 42° 29° 36° 30° PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW 22° 40° 65° (1933) 18° 27° -9° (1972) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.21" 0.44" 0.41" 11.74" 9.07" 11.92" HERMISTON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH Yesterday Normals Records LOW 27° 22° 40° 28° 67° (1988) -10° (1932) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.10" 0.17" 0.48" 8.07" 6.17" 8.98" SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today Full Last Dec 13 Dec 20 25° Seattle 44/39 ALMANAC Yesterday Normals Records 36° 17° New 7:25 a.m. 4:11 p.m. 2:16 p.m. 2:59 a.m. First Dec 28 Jan 5 Today WEDNESDAY Spokane Wenatchee 29/27 30/23 Tacoma Moses 44/36 Lake Pullman Aberdeen Olympia Yakima 29/26 33/29 46/40 42/37 34/21 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 44/41 35/29 Lewiston 34/30 Astoria 34/26 50/43 Portland Enterprise Hermiston 46/41 Pendleton 36/22 The Dalles 36/30 33/29 38/30 La Grande Salem 38/27 48/42 Albany Corvallis 48/42 48/42 John Day 39/31 Ontario Eugene Bend 36/23 48/40 38/29 Caldwell Burns 39/27 39/19 Astoria Baker City Bend Brookings Burns Enterprise Eugene Heppner Hermiston John Day Klamath Falls La Grande Meacham Medford Newport North Bend Ontario Pasco Pendleton Portland Redmond Salem Spokane Ukiah Vancouver Walla Walla Yakima Hi 50 34 38 50 39 36 48 38 36 39 43 38 36 49 49 52 36 33 33 46 38 48 29 36 45 35 34 Lo 43 16 29 42 19 22 40 31 30 31 24 27 27 36 42 44 23 25 29 41 26 42 27 27 42 29 21 W sh sn pc sh sn sn sh pc pc sn pc sn sn c sh sh r pc sn sh pc sh sf sf sh sn pc Hi 49 32 37 47 34 33 46 39 42 37 39 38 35 46 48 51 33 40 39 47 38 46 34 35 46 41 40 Today Beijing Hong Kong Jerusalem London Mexico City Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Sydney Tokyo Lo 19 65 44 38 48 16 42 43 21 67 39 W s pc pc r pc sf pc s s s s Lo 39 20 24 40 23 24 37 28 29 28 28 28 27 38 39 41 22 25 29 38 22 39 21 25 38 30 19 W r pc sn r pc c r c sf pc c c c r r r pc c c r sn r sn pc r sn sn Lo 30 67 44 37 47 10 37 49 23 69 40 W pc s pc pc pc sn c pc s pc pc WINDS Medford 49/36 (in mph) Klamath Falls 43/24 Boardman Pendleton REGIONAL FORECAST Coastal Oregon: Variably cloudy today with showers; breezy across the north. Showery tonight. Eastern and Central Oregon: A little icy mix today, up to an inch across the north; snow in south and central parts. Rain and drizzle in the upper Treasure Valley. Western Washington: Rain at times today. Mostly cloudy tonight with showers. Eastern Washington: Mostly cloudy today; fl urries near the Idaho border and in the mountains. Cascades: Periods of snow today, ac- cumulating 2-4 inches. A little snow at times tonight. Northern California: Cloudy today. A bit of ice in the morning, then a little snow and sleet in the interior mountains; rain in central parts. Today Sunday SSW 4-8 SSW 6-12 SW 7-14 SW 8-16 UV INDEX TODAY Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. 0 0 1 0 0 COMMERCIAL PRINTING Production Manager: Mike Jensen 541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. Sun. Hi 43 74 55 50 71 19 52 62 40 79 50 NEWS • To submit news tips and press releases: • call 541-966-0818 • fax 541-276-8314 • email news@eastoregonian.com • To submit community events, calendar items and Your EO News: email community@eastoregonian.com or call Tammy Malgesini at 541-564-4539 or Renee Struthers in at 541-966-0818. • To submit engagements, weddings and anniversaries: email rstruthers@eastoregonian.com or visit www.eastoregonian. com/community/announcements • To submit a Letter to the Editor: mail to Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 or email editor@eastoregonian.com. • To submit sports or outdoors information or tips: 541-966-0838 • sports@eastoregonian.com NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Sun. WORLD CITIES Hi 42 75 56 55 68 30 50 60 37 75 54 Classified & Legal Advertising 1-800-962-2819 or 541-278-2678 classifieds@eastoregonian.com or legals@eastoregonian.com Advertising Director: Marissa Williams 541-278-2669 • addirector@eastoregonian.com Advertising Services: Laura Jensen 541-966-0806 • ljensen@eastoregonian.com Multimedia Consultants: • Terri Briggs 541-278-2678 • tbriggs@eastoregonian.com • Elizabeth Freemantle 541-278-2683 • efreemantle@eastoregonian.com • Jeanne Jewett 541-564-4531 • jjewett@eastoregonian.com • Chris McClellan 541-966-0827 • cmcclellan@eastoregonian.com • Stephanie Newsom 541-278-2687 • snewsom@eastoregonian.com • Dayle Stinson 541-278-2670 • dstinson@eastoregonian.com • Audra Workman 541-564-4538 • aworkman@eastoregonian.com Subscriber services: For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255 — Founded Oct. 16, 1875 — Melton was tongue-in-cheek. “He was all glove and no hit,” he said. “We teased him about that.” Despite Walters’ ability to reach out and encourage, he was something of an introvert. Ric Walters said the upcoming funeral will likely be the only one his older brother ever attended. “He loved visiting with people,” Ric said, “but he was never comfortable with large social events.” High school friend Susan Corey, who helps organize class reunions, said Dave was a no-show. “In all the years, Dave never attended a single class reunion, but the day after the reunion, I’d go get gas at Dave’s Chevron and he’d pump me for information,” Corey said. “He always bought a class picture.” She still can’t believe her friend, the guy who taught her how to drive a stick shift, is gone. “Everybody liked David,” she said. Pendleton’s softball players will miss seeing him in the stands this spring. Coach Kristan Garton remembers Papa Dave with gratitude for his financial support and his gift of time. “He was such a generous man,” she said. “He didn’t have to do any of this. He did it for the love of the game. He did it for the love of the kids.” ——— Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@ eastoregonian.com or call 541-966-0810. 0 8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 0-2, Low 3-5, Moderate 6-7, High; 8-10, Very High; 11+, Extreme The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num- ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016 -10s -0s showers t-storms 0s 10s rain 20s flurries 30s 40s snow ice 50s 60s cold front 70s 80s 90s 100s warm front stationary front 110s high low National Summary: As snow diminishes around the Great Lakes, snow will ramp up over the northern Plains today. Rain will fall from northern Nevada to western Washington and California, with snow over the interior Northwest. Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 81° in Marathon, Fla. Low -27° in Hohnholz Ranch, Colo. NATIONAL CITIES Today Albuquerque Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Hi 54 49 41 39 24 48 41 31 52 34 24 30 54 52 31 62 -8 3 80 55 31 60 38 62 44 67 Lo 36 31 28 23 7 30 26 23 32 20 21 22 48 30 21 41 -14 2 69 50 24 44 32 50 35 60 W s s s s sn s r s s pc sn sf c pc c pc s sn c c pc s pc pc pc c Sun. Hi 58 49 41 41 31 57 40 36 62 47 31 34 75 40 32 70 -7 16 80 75 37 73 42 65 57 67 Lo 34 42 35 34 5 48 28 30 50 41 24 32 44 16 26 43 -16 -3 68 65 33 57 19 47 46 55 Today W pc pc pc c sn c pc pc pc c sn sn pc c sn s s sn pc c sn s c pc r pc Louisville Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Omaha Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, ME Providence Raleigh Rapid City Reno Sacramento St. Louis Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco Seattle Tucson Washington, DC Wichita Hi 36 45 77 23 15 40 53 38 49 33 39 73 28 33 45 19 57 62 38 47 66 61 44 75 40 46 Lo 27 33 70 21 14 27 44 28 40 25 26 51 13 21 22 8 30 41 31 33 59 47 39 47 28 33 W s pc c sn sn s s s pc c s pc pc s s sf r sh pc r c r sh pc s pc Sun. Hi 45 56 79 32 24 53 68 37 63 34 37 73 31 37 51 29 53 55 44 43 65 55 45 74 42 48 Lo 42 51 73 24 9 47 59 35 29 14 35 51 21 30 39 12 29 38 30 31 55 45 37 48 37 23 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. W r r sh sn sn r pc sn pc sn c s pc pc pc c pc pc r c pc pc c s c c
