David E. Stenerson

DAVID EDWARD STENERSON, 66, of Hamilton, MT passed away Tuesday February 23, 2016, from a sudden illness.  David was born August 10, 1949 in Billings, MT to Marion and Kay (Walsh) Stenerson, the youngest of 4 children.

Dave was the city-wide marbles champion in grade school, played baseball (pitcher) from ages 10-16, then girls and racing his 1967 Mustang became more important.  “It was one of the fastest cars in Billings”.  But his all-time favorite activity was terrorizing his 3 older sisters and he held true to this until the end.

He graduated from Billings Central High School in 1967 and attended Eastern Montana College in Billings for two quarters.  Due to his driving record the Billings City Judge strongly encouraged him to join the service before he got in real trouble.  Dave had joined the Naval Reserve in his senior year in High School and took the Judge’s advice and went active duty.  He was a Brown Water River Rat with the Mobile Riverine Force from April 1968 and honorably discharged November 1969.  Most notably, he was awarded a Purple Heart, and later a Silver Star for throwing an enemy grenade off his boat, saving many lives.  Dave served our country with honor.

After his stint in Vietnam, he worked as a laborer while going back to college.  He married his high school sweetheart, Debra Neiss, on December 18, 1971.  They moved to Missoula where Dave graduated with a Journalism Degree from University of Montana in 1974.  He then became Editor of the Sidney (MT) Herald, where they welcomed their daughter, Rachelle, on June 18, 1976.  She was the joy of his life.  They relocated back to Missoula in 1978 so Dave could pursue his Master’s Degree in Journalism.  His thesis was “Cameras in the Courtroom” and before he could finish the Montana Supreme Court ruled that cameras were indeed allowed.  He should have realized right then and there that law was in his blood, but he returned to carpentry and drywall for the next 10 years.

His father, Marion, opened the first independent optical business in Montana (Marion Opticians) when David was a young kid.  Marion wore a red tie and red socks to work every day, and Dave always wore a red tie in his honor.  No other color would do.  Dave learned his tireless work ethic and other traits from his father.  In his words, “Marion’s passions were pretty women, poker, black jack, and fishing.  I inherited these passions, but have since replaced fishing with golf.”

Dave and other family members and friends got together for their annual October “no girls allowed” fishing trip to Hebgen Lake started by Marion in the 60s.  Dave may have missed one trip in the last 40-some years, but it was always something he looked forward to and enjoyed.  I’m not sure how much fishing was actually done, but I know a good time was had by all.

Dave moved his family to Florence, MT in 1979 and built a log home.  In 1985 he enrolled in the University of Montana Law School and received his Juris Doctorate in 1989 at the age of 36.  He then worked for the Missoula County Public Defender’s Office for a short while, and was a contract public defender with Ravalli County until 1999.  Dave and Debbe divorced in 1999.

Dave married his soulmate and life partner Diane Gerhardt onJuly 9, 1999 and they began working side by side as Stenerson Law Office, PC, for the next seven years.  They were inseparable; you rarely saw one without the other—and on that rare occasion, they were asked where the other was.  In July of 2006 both Dave and Diane continued their journey together with the State of Montana, Office of the Public Defender in the Hamilton office.  Dave was named Regional Deputy Public Defender for Region 2, covering Missoula, Ravalli and Mineral Counties in 2011, charged with directing a staff of 35 (attorneys, support staff and investigators).  He truly loved his mission in life and worked hard to ensure equal access to justice for the indigent--right up to the end.  “I don’t like injustice,” he said.  “I like fighting for the underdog.  Most people who stay in this business are built that way.”

Dave and Diane loved to ride their Harley motorcycles and go golfing with friends.  It was frequently a difficult decision which to do.  Dave loved to garden and cook.  He was a master chef in his own right and he enjoyed cooking his namesake dishes for which, of course, there are no recipes—and he was unnecessarily tweaking ingredients to try to make his dishes better.  Occasionally Dave would make a batch of his famous beans for the Missoula and Hamilton offices to enjoy—they were the best!

Dave was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion, Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and various other organizations.  He served on the UM Law School Board of Visitors for many years.  He delighted in mentoring many UM Law students and “his” attorneys throughout the Public Defender’s Office.  He changed Montana laws and was proud of that accomplishment.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother and father, and numerous aunts and uncles.

Dave is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Diane, of Hamilton, his daughter and son-in-law Rachelle & Greg Moran of Missoula, stepchildren and their spouses, James & Tina Crum of Colorado Springs, Co., Andrea & Andrew Hennen of Prosper, TX., Russell & Lisa Gerhardt of Fargo, ND., and 10 step-grandchildren (and another on the way).  He is also survived by his three sisters, Mary Kay & John Gilligan of Red Lodge, MT, Annie Stenerson of Philo, CA, and Janna and Wayne Hertzler of Park City, MT.  Plus numerous nieces and nephews who considered Dave their favorite uncle; plus MANY, MANY friends and co-workers from all over the State.

Per Dave’s wishes, he will be cremated.

Celebration of Life for Dave will be March 5th, 2016 at 1:30pm at the Bitterroot River Inn located at 139 Plaza Drive, Hamilton, MT (behind Dairy Queen).  Military Honors will be presented, and a celebration of his life will follow at Tammany Ballroom.   Please wear your favorite UM Griz gear or red tie, and bring your favorite stories and memories to share.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of your choice.