Gaven Clark Dunn

Gaven Clark Dunn passed away peacefully after a well lived and dignified 85 years in the comfort of his beloved hilltop home in Healdsburg on September 24, 2022. He was cradled in comfort and love up until the end. His soulmate Sandra and two devoted daughters were by his side as his beautiful and tender soul took flight. Gaven braved several years of challenging health issues with courage, tenacity, patience, humor, and his bedazzling smile.

Rascal, all-star athlete, Eagle Scout, sailor, Navy man, aviator to his core, musician, contractor, builder, rancher, farmer, horseman, dog whisperer, philosopher, nonconformist, homebody, and as gentle, kind and generous and charming a human as one could ever know, Gaven will be remembered for being a genuine Renaissance man – someone who could learn and do just about anything. He lived life on his terms, without pretense, considerate to all people, animals and the planet. Never judgmental, intensely and unapologetically private, honest, loyal, trustworthy, and impossibly stubborn. Gaven was a man of integrity, true to his word, humble, and offered the sagest advice to those wise enough to listen.

At age seven Gaven vividly recalls climbing atop his backyard clubhouse in hopes of catching a glimpse of General MacArthur's plane overhead. In that defining moment, Gaven knew he would pursue aviation. He graduated from Burlingame High School in 1955 and went on to earn a Bachelors of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from San Jose State University. He was a pilot with United Airlines for over 30 years, based out of SFO for the majority of his career, and shared his love of flight and travel with his family. Another great love of Gaven's was sailing – first discovering this passion as a teen and earning the coveted privilege to join the crew of The Celebes and sail the Transpac in 1955 from Long Beach to Honolulu.

Born at Stanford Hospital on March 25, 1937 to Ortrude "Sunny" Andres and Frederick Berrian "Bruin" Dunn. Gaven was the apple of his mother's eye, the sweet younger brother to Verlaine Andres Woodhead Schweitzer, admired and adored uncle to Laurie Woodhead Heston of Homer, Alaska and David Woodhead of Maui, Hawaii.

Gaven first met his wife Sandy, the love of his life, when she was walking home from school one day, and said to his friend, 'I'm going to marry that girl one day.' Married in 1962, they recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Gaven is survived by his wife Sandy Kriloff Dunn of Healdsburg, daughters Heather Varina Dunn of Mendocino and Amy Dunn Liss of Danville, as well as his four grandchildren, who he could not have been prouder of – Benjamin Gaven Swan, Mia Sandra Liss, Max Joseph Liss and Fiona Elizabeth Swan. Special mention goes out to his son-in-laws, who he revered as his own, Timothy King Swan and Robert Steven Liss Jr.

We feel Gaven's spirit and think of him every time we enjoy a fine bourbon, hear a melancholy song and share a good laugh. He would want us to tread gently, leave a place better than we found it, not worry (the interest rates are too high), think critically and independently, explore and wonder – and be as curious and compassionate as possible. Gaven will be honored in a private and intimate celebration of life gathering at a yet to be planned time. In lieu of any gifts, Gaven's family welcomes any donation to Sutter Care Hospice Home Care in Santa Rosa.

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · October 13, 2022