David Lawrence Bolles

of Bainbridge Island, Washington, died May 26, 2008, in Poulsbo under the care of Martha and Mary Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Group Health Hospice.Born February 3, 1931 in Indianapolis, IN, the youngest (and last surviving) of the five children of Doris Rugan and William Perigo Bolles, he had a tumultuous childhood that included living on Ester Awbrey's farm in Coatesville, a time he remembered very tenderly. After graduating from high school, he served in the US Navy in Subic Bay, Philippines, as a member of the SeaBees, and in Adak, Alaska. He served as camp photographer.He married three times, but his true love was Elizabeth (Beth) Percival Bolles, the mother of his two daughters. They eloped on August 1, 1955, and settled in Rochester, IN, until they moved to Phoenix, AZ a year later, where they stayed until 1970.His professional life was colorful and varied, including jobs such as Driver's Ed instructor, religious film librarian, and chainsaw salesman. He went to Phoenix College in 1965, finishing four years later at Arizona State University with an MA in History. He secured a teaching position at Central Oregon Community College (COCC), teaching Philosophy and Western Civilization. The family moved to Bend, Oregon. Teaching was his true calling. He was happiest and lived most fully into his gifts during his time at COCC. He developed several lifelong friendships there. He found new joy in the theater, performing as Fagin and Don Quixote, among his many roles. He served on the Faculty Forum, including a term as president. He loved to engage in philosophical debate, arguing into the wee hours in front of a roaring fire or on a riverbank with a fishing pole in his hand. He passionately and quixotically battled the dehumanizing nature of bureaucracy.After leaving COCC, he moved to Seattle, then Southern California, eventually ending up back in the Pacific Northwest. He worked in the field of Special Ed until his retirement, after which he lived on Bainbridge Island. He pursued many interests, including tennis, woodcarving, guitar, world languages, poetry, opera and classical music (turned way up), and torturing us all with endless puns and obscure philosophical references. He will be remembered lovingly by his widow, Elizabeth P Bolles; his daughters and sons-in-law, Katherine EF Bolles and Jim Crews, Barbara B and John K Ellis; by his granddaughter, Elizabeth G Ellis; by his nieces and nephews, the Littlers, Jollys, Farquers, and Bolleses; and by his friends, former colleagues and students, those he challenged to think deeply and seek the truth.Memorials may be made to the Foundation at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, OR.Arrangements are by Cook Family Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island, WA.