David Howard Marich, age 55, of Kent, WA passed away on April 19th, 2023. David was a U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Masonic Order, and an advocate for veterans with PTSD. David’s wife, Rachel Marich, passed away shortly after on June 2nd, 2023. David is survived by his son, Nathaniel Alexander Marich, his parents, Sharon K. Marich and Milan Marich, and his siblings, Daniel (Imy) Marich, Katherine (Armen) Boghossian, and Derek (Debra) Marich.

David was born in Chicago, IL on July 24th, 1967, where he lived with his family till moving to Honolulu, HI in 1975. He graduated from Mililani High School in 1985 and then enlisted in the United States Army the following Fall. During his six years in the U.S. Army, he served as a member of the 127th Signal Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. After being stationed in Germany, he returned to the States where he was stationed at the former Army base at Fort Ord, CA. During that time, he was deployed to Panama as part of Operation Just Cause in December 1989. After his time in the U.S. Army, he moved back to Chicago where he attended Columbia College and began his career as an advocate and caregiver of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While working at Misericordia a Catholic Charity in Chicago, David met the love of his life Rachel Stewart, and they were married in a beautiful backyard wedding at his mother-in-law’s Leslie Milhous’ house in Marquette Park, Chicago, IL on July 29, 2000. During that time, he loved going to Cubs games at Wrigley Field with Rachel and would often chaperone patients at Misericordia to the games. His favorite memories were sitting behind home plate at Wrigley Field on the Cubs season opening day game with Rachel. In 2003, David and Rachel moved to Las Vegas where his brother Daniel and his wife, Imy, and their son, Milan, were living. During their time there, their son Nathan was born on February 7, 2004. Later that year the family then moved to Phoenix, AZ to be closer to Rachel’s sister, Frankie, and her two sons, Jeremiah, and Jonathan where he continued his career as a Housing Specialist for Tarros. In 2014, David, Rachel, and Nathan moved to Washington State. After working for a few non-profits as a case manager for assisted living residents, he began working at the U.S. Veterans Administration in Seattle, WA until his passing.

David was an incredibly kind and open-hearted soul who was extremely passionate about serving those with mental disabilities, especially veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress. Being familiar with the challenges of ADHD and post-traumatic stress in his own life, and raising his precious son, Nathan, who is also challenged by autism, David was extremely empathic with individuals and families that traveled a similar journey in their lives. It was his calling to help that community and his family in any way he could.

During his time in Washington state, he renewed his association with the Freemasons and was a proud member of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction, J.C. Logan Lodge No.53. He had a strong love of hard rock music and often reminisced about the rock festivals he attended in Germany where he saw some of his favorite bands like Metallica and Rage Against the Machine. Music was a great comfort for him, and Rage Against the Machine aligned closely with his political voice. David was a huge fan of the Chicago sports teams. In addition to his beloved Cubs, he was also a great fan of the Blackhawks, the Bulls, and the Bears, and his new favorite home team the Seattle Kraken.

Although these times are tough for the family, we remember David’s deep love of family and friends, and we know he would want to remind you to tell those whom you love that they are loved without hesitation. David and Rachel are deeply loved; that love has changed, not ended. May David’s and Rachel’s memory be a blessing for you all as it will be for us.

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