David Lloyd Chamberlain

David Lloyd “Dave” Chamberlain, beloved husband, father, engineer and hotelier, passed away Thursday morning, January 9, 2020, in Pocatello, Idaho. He was 83 years old. At his side was his beautiful wife Sue, who has lovingly cared for him these many past years of unfortunate and compounding health concerns.
Dave was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 6, 1936, the youngest of six siblings. He spent much of his youth in the Little Rock area, before attending the all-boys Catholic high school at the Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, Arkansas, graduating with the class of 1954. Dave frequently recalled the academy days and never let an AR family trip go by without a side visit to the Abby’s hallowed grounds to reminisce his youthful exuberances and grab the locally famous Subiaco Monk Sauce and nearby Petit Jean sausages. After graduating, Dave followed his older brothers, first to Chicago, where he worked many odd jobs including as a theater usher and insurance salesman, while sleeping on many a family sofa, before settling in San Diego where the brothers were stationed in the U.S. Navy. Family ties always remained strong and at one point the brothers Chamberlain purchased homes and lived a stone’s throw apart on Walbollen Street in Spring Valley.
Soon after sailing into San Diego and possibly tiring of the sofa life, following a blind date arranged by his brother, Dave was married to Dorothy Joy Vickers in 1956. With the first of five children soon on the way (way to go Dad!!), Dave pursued a career and a passion as a Civil Engineer. After finishing night school, he first worked for the County of San Diego, jumped ship to work for several small local engineering firms, before opening Simpson-Chamberlain Engineering with business partner and longtime friend Roger Simpson.
In 1963, Dave moved the growing family to Ramona, California, to be near and to help take care of his mom. He was an active member of the community, involved in the Kiwanis Club and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, but was mostly focused on activities centered on school functions, youth sports and the 4-H clubs in support of his kids. Some of Dave’s favorite stories, and source of much laughter, were about raising pigs as part of 4-H.
Dave met through mutual friends then married Edith Sue Hoffmann in 1984 and they shared 36 years of marital bliss together. With much surprise, and little fanfare, Dave and Sue announced they were ready for a change of scenery, opting to move from California to Soda Springs, Idaho. They moved in 1994 to become proprietors of the Caribou Lodge and Motel. The family is still not sure Dave was able to acclimate to the weather change, but we know that he continued to be an active member of the community and was a strong supporter of small businesses.
While tied to the motel most of the time, Dave and Sue took every opportunity to pull their trailer and explore all that Idaho and the surrounding northwest has to offer. Most of the trips included traveling with family and hitting destinations to visit good friends. After 18 years in Soda Springs, Dave and Sue retired to Pocatello, Idaho.
Dave is survived by his loving wife Edith Sue, his five children: Sandy, David, Kenny, Steph and Paul; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grand-children
Funeral Mass is postponed and will be held at a later date. Information will be posted when available. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donation to the Food Pantry at St Vincent de Paul, Pocatello.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
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