David Coughlin ’66

David Coughlin ’66, who died peacefully on August 11, 2021, was a lawyer and counselor to thousands in his nearly 50-year legal practice in Baker City on the Powder River in eastern Oregon. He possessed a desire for achievement and adventure that led him to hang off the side of Mount McKinley in a bivouac, claw his way through thousands of swimmers in the Mediterranean in the Triathlon World Championships, marry the love of his life (Lisa) in a beautiful mountain meadow, catch a touchdown against Princeton that would show up on the cover of the next day’s New York Times as a member of Dartmouth undefeated 1965 Ivy Championship team, cycle the Alps Tour de France routes, skipper a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands, and survive two Alaska avalanches. David was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and Sphinx at Dartmouth and served as an Alumni Fund volunteer for many years. In Baker City he mentored children in the SMART reading program, served as the community’s volunteer swim coach, and formed the town’s first gym. He believed education and dedicated hard work were the keys to success. David is survived by Lisa, his wife of 50 years; daughter Jennifer; grandson Jackson; and dog Ranger. He will be remembered for his intelligence, integrity, kindness, fairness, and overall class.