DAVID CHASE STETSON

MIDDLEBURY — David Chase Stetson, known as “Stets” by many, peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge surrounded by his family and friends, holding his daughter’s hands and listening to music he loved. We hope he is reunited with his beloved mother, Marilyn; his adored golden retrievers, Addison, Sandy and Harvey; and his treasured cat Bruce.

He is survived by his father, Robert; his twin brother, Dan; his siblings Jeff and Sally and their families; the love of his life, Sylvia; their children, Kelsey and Danica and their partners Tristan and Johnny; his grandson, Ridge Stetson Walker; his dear friends, George Worland and Mike DeGray; and his cat, Winston “Mittens” Churchill.

David was a kind and gentle man, hard-working and strong. An excellent storyteller, he knew how to deliver a punchline and only ever raised his voice for the exciting part of an anecdote. He spent his life cooking for several renowned Vermont institutions, before retiring from Middlebury College. He loved sports, cards and games of chance, especially golf, skiing and Texas Hold ‘Em.

At a young age Dave fell in love with the thrill of flying down mountains on skis, learning at the Middlebury Snowbowl with his family. Skiing quickly became about how much “air” and how many runs he could get in before sundown. This love manifested into buying a VW van with his brother Dan and heading to Colorado after graduating Mt. Abraham Union High School in 1980 in pursuit of adventure, bigger mountains and more “air.”

In 1984, he met his sweetheart, Sylvia, and together they had two children whom Dave loved more than anything and for whom he got up every day at the crack of dawn and worked until sundown.

A celebration of his life will be held at the D.A.R. Pavilion in West Addison, Vt., Aug. 6, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society. ◊