David Edwin Hulting

Our world has lost David Hulting, one of its most curious, passionate, and enthusiastic devotees. Dave suffered a heart attack on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, while descending Mount Whitney after successfully reaching the summit. Our hearts break with the unexpected and unwelcome stillness that overcomes the great boom of his voice and the energy of his embrace.

Dave reached the peak of Mount Whitney with his two best friends, JD and Paul. Upon their descent of the mountain, under the expanse of Gods beauty, and despite the rescue attempts of his friends and other responders on the mountain, Dave, 45, succumbed to a congenital heart defect, cardiomyopathy, of which he was previously unaware.

As we work to understand and process this profound and overwhelming loss, we turn to the love and memories we shared with Dave for comfort. Being forced to say goodbye hurts, yet Daves legacy demonstrates the importance, value, and beauty of life. Daves fervor for learning and doing--his insatiable curiosity--took him up mountains, into the ocean, across the world, into his garage, into his kitchen, and into the minds and hearts of the people he met. Whether he was exploring Minecraft with Alexander, cheering on the LA Kings, going to a concert, surfing, beer brewing, baking, repairing the house, repairing something, repairing anything, building something, shaking your hand, giving you a high-five, loving Elena--Dave did it with his whole self. He loved his community and his friends, regularly and warmly opening his home and his arms to them with an overflowing of welcome, and appreciating their presence.

David Edwin Hulting was born on December 27, 1969 in Alamogordo, New Mexico to Linda Lou McClarey Hulting and Ronald Edwin Hulting. Davids mom Linda had studied to be a teacher, however, priorities of a young and growing family, shifted Lindas focus to stay home with her children. Ron was a test and fighter pilot for the United States Air Force, and later he successfully received his law degree and was an attorney in San Marino.

Three years later, the Hulting family moved west to live on Edwards Air Force Base. At Edwards AFB Dave truly learned to spread his wings, taking full advantage of the freedom that living on base afforded kids back then. The wide-open and expansive outdoors allured Dave, while his folks encouraged him to expand his knowledge base, explore the unknown, and push himself to greater heights.

Shortly after their arrival to Edwards AFB, Davids sister, Beth, was born. David was so excited to have a baby sister, he ran door to door, announcing to all the neighbors that Beth had arrived! From that day forward a bond was created between David and Beth, a bond that would grow continuously--a bond reserved for close siblings. A giggle, a wink, a raised eyebrow, a sigh, a nod of the chin or a snicker communicated their lifetime bond, no words necessary. An unshakable bond that would see them through lifes adventures, secrets, challenges and celebrations.

After their time at Edwards AFB, the Hulting family settled in San Marino, California; the place that they would call home for many years to come. In his youth, Dave played the drums, volleyball, and baseball, though hes on the record that baseball bored him. He excelled in math and sciences, and always managed to find a puzzle or develop an equation for any, even the most mundane, situations. This is also when his life long friendship with Roger Carpenter began.

Daves boundless knack for creating things and going beyond the expected started early in life. Rather than settle for a standard cummerbund for his high school prom tuxedo, he found the specific fabric on his own, sat down at his moms sewing machine, and made it himself! When Dave turned 16, his dad, Ron, drove Dave to get his drivers license. After, that same day, Dave drove--his dad the passenger this time--to the airport so he could pick up his pilots license.

His passion for learning, teaching, and sharing was always present. He might ask, What is the square root of pi, divided by the velocity at which the earth spins? With glazed and confused eyes staring back at him, his passion would never waver, he would effortlessly break down the most complex equations, theories, or ideas into simple concepts so that everyone could grasp what he was trying to explain. And with each step being explained, the volume of his voice would inch higher and higher, as his excitement built.

Dave graduated from San Marino High School and later from Pasadena City College with an AA degree in computer science.

In December, 1995, Dave went on his first date with Elena Quiroz. The stars were aligned that night and a match made in heaven formed. Elena has often described Dave as a perfect combination of her own parents--her dads builder, learn-about-it qualities, coupled with her moms encouragement and love of music, arts, and nature.

Dave and Elena married on January 27, 1999. Together, their passion for the arts, nature, travel, and all that life had to offer flourished. They built a life together in Whittier, a town he also loved very much, that was filled with adventure, outdoors, creativity, and passion. Together, Dave and Elena traveled the world, camped at Joshua Tree, golfed, snow boarded, rock climbed, surfed, and enjoyed the arts together.

As their love grew, so did their family; on December 9, 2005, they welcomed their son, Alexander Davidson Hulting, into the world. Alexander is every bit as inquisitive as his dad. They shared a passion for science, math, nature, the outdoors, and above all, they shared quality time together. Every morning they would begin their day together, before Elena awoke--this was their time to discover and build. They built a hovercraft, hunted fossils, and most recently worked on plans to design a new video game. Every evening ended with quiet time; Xander could ask his dad any question he desired, and without reservation, and his dad had answers, or knew how to find the answers.

Judith (J.), Daves stepmother, fondly describes Dave as a Gentle Giant, always ready to greet you with a huge hug. He was The Rock. He had the strength of a rock, and provided a solid foundation and support to family and close friends through lifes ups and downs, all while having a tender heart. He always gave extra care and concern for the women and children in his life.

Daves love and compassion never ceased to grow, as his parents aged and their needs changed, he open-heartedly cared for them, with the invaluable assistance of Beth and Elena.

Dave cherished his nieces and nephews. He cared deeply about the life happenings and development of Aiden, Ryan, Lindsey, and Alysha. He took a genuine interest in each of them, and learning about important things in their lives. As well, he listened, empathized, and advised. Their discoveries and struggles could as well been his own. The in-depth conversations they shared are hallmark memories that will not be forgotten.

Dave folded into the Quiroz family seamlessly and completely. Elenas parents, John and Otila, loved and treated Dave like their own son. They enjoyed camping trips, vacations, family gatherings, weddings, barbeques, and everyday life together.

Rosalind, Dean, and John, Daves new extended siblings, loved and laughed along with Dave. There really was never a gathering where Dave wasnt fired up with excitement about the Kings, LA Galaxy, the World Cup, a graduation, birthday, or Taco Tuesday. One weekend it was Dave that challenged Dean, John, and the boys to a G-O-A-L shouting contest; to find out who could yell the loudest, longest, and sound the most like Andres Cantor, the soccer announcer on Telemundo. Dave won.

Dave most recently worked as IT/web developer in the marketing department at Makita USA. His career began with an advertising layout position and computer graphics. While working at Perceive Design, in 1995, Dave became lifelong friends with Eloise, Paul, JD, and Kim.

Dave is survived and carried on by his wife, Elena; son, Alexander; sister, Beth Hulting; stepmother, Judith Pomeroy; father-in-law, John Quiroz; sister-in-law, Rosalind Quiroz Knapp; brothers-in-law, John Quiroz and Dean Knapp; nieces, Alysha Hulting and Lindsey Quiroz; and, nephews, Aiden Knapp and Ryan Knapp. He also leaves a large, extended family in Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a college fund for Alexander. Please make contributions payable to:



Alexander Davidson Hulting #708



and mail to:

Credit Union of Southern California

8028 Greenleaf Avenue

Whittier, CA 90602



or Elena Hulting

13703 Valna Drive

Whittier, CA 90602