David Petherick, 86, of Coupeville, died Feb. 25, 2006. He was born in Ruston (Tacoma) and raised in the Harper area of Port Orchard. He raised his family on Bainbridge Island where he and his wife, Dorothy, were active in Eagle Harbor Congregational Church and the Port Madison Yacht Club. Their 36-foot yawl, the Mari-Mari, was well known in Puget Sound, Canadian and Alaskan waters.

During World War II, Dave served aboard various ships as a Merchant Marine engineer. After the war, he was superintendent of the Bainbridge Shipyard for a short time before working many years in the machine tool business. Eventually he combined his engineering experience with his love of boats and the sea by forming his own company, MAR-MAC, where he provided marine services for commercial, government and private vessels.

David and Dorothy traveled extensively all over North America, the British Isles and Europe. He moved to Whidbey in 2001 where he was a resident of Oak Harbor Retirement Community (now Regency). He and six other widowers dubbed themselves King Arthur (David) and the Knights of the Round Table. For the past 18 months he was a resident of Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville where he was well loved and known for his wry sense of humor.

He is survived by his two daughters, Janna Paris of Sequim and Lindy Strycharski of Oak Harbor. He had five grandchildren: Ell Worthington of Maui, Shawn Caasi of Port Angeles, Beth Lloyd of Port Orchard, Eli Blevins of Anacortes, and Anna Tesch of Oak Harbor. He was blessed with six great-great grandchildren, Olivia and Sophia Barrtett-Caasi (twins), Howie and Connor Lloyd, and Grace and Ezra Tesch.

At his request there will be no services but a gathering of family when his ashes are mixed with those of his wife and scattered at sea. Rememberances may be made in his name to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.