Dave passed away July 20, 2017 peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.
Dave was born in Riverside, CA. He moved to Santa Maria from San Bernardino with his family in 1961. He graduated from Righetti High School in 1965. Dave served in the navy from 1966-1970 on the ships USS Coral Sea and USS Oriskany, jet air craft service in Korea and Vietnam. Dave was a life member of the VFW Post 2521 and a member of the American Legion 534. He was a Fire Captain with CDF/Cal Fire for 28 years, also a member with the International Association of Fire Fights (IAFF), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Association and California Professional Fire Fighters (CPF).
Dave is survived by his wife Patti, son Jason Dougherty, daughter Coreen Knorr (Bobby), son Brian Schaefer (Tina), son in law Scott Mathews and 7 grandchildren. Brother Phil Dougherty (Patti), sisters Karen Preast, Kathy Delansky (Tony), Colleen Treharne (John), Julie Searcy (Kip), also numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Doc and Dorothy Dougherty and daughter Melody Mathews.
A Celebration of Life will be August 5th at 1:00 PM, VFW Post 2521, 200 E. Battles, Santa Maria.