William David "Dave" Routzahn was born on October 24, 1949 at the old St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Montana to William John Routzahn and Elizabeth Louise Pinne.

It was during a magnificent thunderstorm of bright flashes and exploding bangs on the night of July 31, 2025 that Dave left this world for his next adventure.

Dave grew up and spent most of his 75 years on the lower west side of Helena. As a toddler, he lived briefly in the Alaska territory while his dad worked on the Eklutna Dam near Palmer. He attended Broadwater Elementary school and graduated from Helena High School in 1967. His early years were spent on the lower west side finding all sorts of trouble, much to his parents' chagrin. He came from an outdoorsy family – camping, fishing, hunting, trips to Yellowstone, rock hunting, rides in the mountains, snow skiing . . . if it was something outdoors – he was there. He loved the peace and quiet of the mountains, the solitude of fishing, downhill skiing through virgin snow, the fresh mountain air after a rain storm; this was his church.

In November 1967, Dave enlisted in the US Navy for a six-year commitment to study nuclear engineering. He was stationed in San Diego, CA for basic training and further training in the San Francisco area and Idaho Falls. However, in 1969, a pickup truck and motorcycle changed that plan. He was medically discharged in 1971 and returned to Helena. Upon discharge, and on a $5 bet with a friend, he asked a girl from Minnesota out. Three years later, in 1973, he married Cynthia "Cyndi" Goroski. They lived briefly in Missoula, MT while Dave attended the University of Montana, before moving to Helena in 1974 where son Joshua Ryon was born; two years later son William Zachary "Zach" joined the family. Dave returned to college and attended Carroll College and graduated in 1978 with a degree in biology/chemistry and secondary education. The family moved to the small town of Lambert, MT where Dave taught all science classes grades 7-12.

One year in Eastern Montana was enough for Dave and Cyndi. The mountains were calling and the family moved back to Helena in 1979. Dave worked several years for the Montana Dept of Transportation in the materials lab and pavement management. During this time, he traveled extensively around Montana.

In 1988, he went to work for US Immigration & Naturalization Service. To further his career, he studied public administration and received his MPA from the University of Montana in 1989. Dave's career with INS took him to many destinations including many conferences/details to the US-Canadian border, Louisiana, Georgia, California, Texas, New York. A highlight of Dave's career with INS was meeting and clearing Mikhail Gorbachev and his family in 1992 in Billings, MT as they refueled on their way to California to meet with President Regan. He retired in 2006. During these years Dave and family enjoyed the outdoors year-round. Lots of camping, lake and river fishing, ice fishing, cross country and downhill skiing, big game hunting, bird hunting, picnics, trips to Yellowstone, Glacier and beyond. The family enjoyed many trips including the Canadian Rockies, Seattle, Vancouver Island, Canada, family get-togethers in North Dakota, Minnesota, and California. A highlight of the family trips was attending the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. In 2000, the family enjoyed a trip to Europe (Germany and the Czech Republic) to celebrate Josh and Zach's graduation from college. In retirement, Dave had a small immigration consulting business, and substitute taught for the Helena Public Schools for several years.

As empty nesters, Dave and Cyndi enjoyed many more travels – visiting many places in the southwest and southeast to escape the Montana winters. They also travelled to the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Belize, Mexico. Dave fulfilled a lifetime dream of going to the Galapagos' Islands and Machu Picchu in 2021 with his brother Ron. Retirement was spent camping, golfing, fishing, traveling, attending many Griz football games, and rooting for the Carroll College Saints sports teams.

A great adventure and bucket list for Dave and Cyndi in their retirement years was golfing every county in Montana that had a golf course. It took several years, but what fun visiting little golf courses all around Dave's beloved Montana.

Dave was a guy of no-nonsense; he let you know where his opinions and feelings were, sometimes without provocation. His quick and quirky wit was admired or admonished. He loved to share his knowledge of plants, trees, biology, geology, Helena, and Montana history with anyone who would listen. He was a great story teller, especially of hunting and camping adventures (grizzly bear!). He loved reminiscing with old high school friends about their time together, especially the gang from the lower west-side. His memory of those many shenanigans and adventures remained sharp, and he liked to embellish, when given the opportunity.

His love of Montana and the great outdoors was second only to his family, especially his five grandkids. He loved to follow their many sport events, dance performances, piano recitals, school concerts/plays. He treasured the many sleep-overs and one-on-one visits with each grandchild.

His love of reading and learning never waned, even in our current digital age. He enjoyed a wide variety of genres – sci-fi, Montana history, fantasy, biology, physics, western, political satire, and various humorous topics. This interest was subsequently passed down to his sons and grandchildren, and they would often discuss some of their shared reads.

He is survived by his wife, Cyndi, of 52 years. Son Josh (Cherelyn), Natalya, Katerina, and Mariana. Son Zach (Sami) and William "Nolan" and

MacKenzie, all of Helena, MT. Also, his host son Alex Glunz (Derron Coles) of Oregon, and host daughter Marieke van den Heuvel and family (Rik, Jim & Rosa Verstijnen) of the Netherlands.

He is also survived by brothers Ronald and Randy (Lisa), sisters Londa Burns and Nan (Morris) Wheatley of Helena, and Pam (Louis) Martinez of California. And in-laws: Dave (Kathy) Goroski and Audrey (Tim) Kelly of Helena; Jim Goroski, Conrad (Lori) Goroski, Denise (David) St. Germain of Minnesota; and AnnMarie (Gaylord) Schmidt and Gary (Stephanie) Goroski of North Dakota. And many other Routzahn and Goroski relatives.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents John and Lou Routzahn.

Dave's family would like to thank the many caring personnel at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center for Dave's care the past few years – especially Dr. Guter, Dr. Block, Dr. Missey and nurses Chris and Grace.

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"The two best times to fish is when it's raining, and when it ain't."

-Patrick F. McManus

Military Honors will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery – Fort Harrison at some future date.