In Passing – February 2024

David Edson Chambers

Life is precious … enjoy each and every moment … it can change in a blink of an eye. David Edson Chambers, husband of Traudl (Trudy) Chambers, suffered a stroke on Nov. 15. He remained in Abrazo Hospital’s ICU, until Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, when he was peacefully granted his angel wings, with the family surrounding him.

The following day was Thanksgiving … there was a lot to be thankful for, and the family is grateful David enjoyed a good life for 85 years. Born in Mason City, Iowa, he attended the University of Arizona after his folks’ move to Tucson. He was one of the chapter founders and member of Delta Upsilon and a great supporter of the Business school in later years. Dave started his career as a recruiter with Pan Am World Airways in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Briefly interrupted by the Draft (Army), he returned after two years to the job and location he loved … until an up-and-coming company, called Xerox, wanted expansion and lured him northbound to recruit for them. Ultimately, after a few other business alliances, he started his own successful executive search company, David Chambers & Associates, in midtown Manhattan, NYC, until he tired of daily commuting and relocated his business to the family home in Greenwich, Conn. When his bad hearing began to interfere with daily business, he retired in October 2007, and moved out West with Trudy … first to Palm Desert, Calif., and then to PebbleCreek on Dec. 2, 2015.

Although he didn’t pursue his dream of becoming a professional golfer, Dave never lost his childhood passion for the game. He fully enjoyed his membership at Winged Foot Golf Club, calling the East and West courses his ‘mistresses,’ and loved being a ‘spotter’ during several Masters tournaments. He was enthused about all types of sports, an avid reader, and a frequent story teller. Along with Trudy, he was into cruising and visiting different areas of the world. Predeceased by his parents, Robert and Louise Chambers and eldest brother William (Bill), David is survived by his wife of 55 years, Traudl (Trudy); sons Scott Chambers (Kerry) and Todd Chambers (Stephanie); daughter Andrea Hekler (Eric); and four grandchildren, Keely, Haley, Tyler, and Elijah; as well as his brothers John and Robert. We will always remember Dave for his hearty laughter and his enjoyment of a chilled glass—or two—of Grey Goose vodka with two olives, as well as his penchant for telling, and nonstop forwarding, of jokes. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. If interested in attending, please call Trudy for details at
203-921-5778.

Neil Edmond Saling Jr.

Neil Edmond Saling Jr., who lived in Unit 17 in PebbleCreek, passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 from kidney failure. He was born Feb. 4, 1936, in Eugene, Oregon. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Sinnard Saling. They have been married 66 years and have lived in PebbleCreek since 2003. He has four grandchildren, Samantha, Jeffrey, Emily, and Erik. He is survived by his two sons, Michael Saling (wife Molly) and Mark Saling (wife Brenda); a daughter, Meghan Saling; a sister, Jane Saling Schaeffer (husband Jim); and a brother, Robert Saling (wife Cindy). Neil will be buried in Willamette National Cemetery.

Neil traveled with his parents during the years before and during WWII, returning to Corvallis, Ore., where he attended Corvallis High School and Oregon State College. He was active in campus activities at OSC and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Neil married his high school sweetheart in January 1958. He graduated from OSC in June 1958 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He immediately entered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Regular Army Second Lieutenant and, after Airborne training, was posted to Germany. His career in the U.S. Army spanned 30 years, and he retired in 1988 with the rank of Colonel. His Army career included four tours overseas to include eight years in Germany and two tours to Southeast Asia. He always maintained that his favorite duty was as the Corps District Engineer for the State of Alaska.

Upon leaving the Army, Neil became a Construction Manager for the Portland Metropolitan Service District, acting as the Director of the Oregon Convention Center Project during the construction phase. Upon leaving Metro, Neil worked briefly for Hoffman Construction before retiring to assist his wife in her antiques business. Among Neil’s accomplishments were his earning a M.S. in engineering from Purdue University and an M.A. in Military Science from the Army Command and Staff College. He was a registered Professional Engineer.

In PebbleCreek Neil utilized his engineering background and was instrumental in building a fence across the wash area in Unit 17 that is keeping flood waters from causing damage to homes and also keeping trespassers from entering our community. Neil and Lucy were daily participants at the Eagle’s Nest pool and workout center, enjoying the amenities here in PebbleCreek.

Neil also was involved in Master Track and Field where he entered a rating of Senior All-American in the discus throw for more than 30 consecutive years and was consistently among the top performers nationally in his age group.

Kare Bears of PebbleCreek extend our deepest sympathy to Lucy and her family.

Donna Marie Del Vecchio Staude

Donna Marie Del Vecchio Staude, a loving wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, a resident of PebbleCreek for the past 10 years, passed away peacefully, at age 79, late afternoon on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.

Stricken with COPD, multiple minor strokes, and undergoing treatment for vertebral artery stenosis, she was unable to walk and confined to a lift chair for the past nine months.

Donna was born on Sept. 2, 1944, to Aurther and Claire Del Vecchio, in Chicago, Ill. After graduating from Riverside High School, Donna began her career working in downtown Chicago. She then married Alan Kuncl and owned a fast-food operation in downtown Chicago. She had her own pizzeria in Aurora, Colo., for several years.

Over 40 years ago, Donna met the love of her life, Jim Staude, in Aurora, on a blind date. It was love at first sight for both of them. They married at the Carroll University Chapel in Waukesha, Wis., on Dec. 31, 1988, followed by a honeymoon at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. They were married for 35 wonderful years.

After meeting in Aurora, Donna moved to Oakbrook, Ill., to be with Jim. She worked as a Relocation Executive for several years. After getting married, they moved to Albuquerque, N.M., where she became Secretary/Treasurer of J & D Ltd., Co., working with Jim and helped run Benton Moving Services, Allied Van Lines for 15 years in corporate account sales and marketing.

She moved to McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she worked remotely for Benton. Donna got heavily involved in craftwork and painting ceramics. They moved to PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Ariz., in 2013. She then turned her talents to sewing bandanas, coats, and other made-to-order clothing for small dogs for the next seven years, retiring in 2020.

Donna was known for her witty sense of humor and could always bring a smile to anyone she was with. She was outgoing, loved dogs, craftwork, sewing, traveling, and attending a variety of entertainment venues with Jim. Donna was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Mrs. Staude is survived by Jim, her husband of 35 years; one sister, Robbe (Daniel) Lapatowski of Naperville, Ill.; brother, Michael (Paula) Del Vecchio of Morrison, Colo.; a son, Blake Kuncl (Laura) of Minneapolis, Minn.; stepson, Jamie (Danielle) Staude of San Anselmo, Calif.; stepdaughter, Jennifer (Corey) Blair of Tempe, Ariz.; and 12 grandchildren, Max and Sasha Bailey; Wyatt, Lucy, George and Sophi Kuncl; Tyler, Sydney, and Kendyl Staude; and Carter, Hudson, and Maci Blair.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Claire Del Vecchio, and her daughter, Michelle Kuncl Bailey.

A Memorial Service will be held in Denver, Colo., in the spring of 2024, where her ashes, along with those of her daughter, Michelle, will be spread over the Rocky Mountains as per her wishes.