David Patrick Rafter, 67, died March 31, 2025, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage from respiratory/heart failure. He was born January 6, 1958, to Pat and Betty Rafter and was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, until he was 17. His independent and adventurous nature brought him north to Alaska in 1975, and it soon became home. David lived a big, profound, and inspiring life that is rare and reminds us all of the potential goodness in our daily lives. His deep-rooted love for his extensive family was the foundation of who he was. He met Stacy in 1977, and they were married at his parents’ home on the lake in West Palm Beach in 1979. Being a father was David’s greatest joy and what he was most proud of; his daughter, Terra, and son, Sean, were his motivation and purpose for demonstrating care and love through actions and being present in their lives. His loving heart cherished every moment spent with his family. David had a soft spot for his dogs. Airedales were his breed, and he and the family had seven of them over the years, treating each one like the valuable family members they were. Lady Wren, their 2-year-old, is keeping his spot warm on the couch. David’s life was full of adventure, passion, and dedication. He formed many lasting friendships with those he knew along the way. His quick wit and humor enlivened his interactions with everyone. He was loved by many, and his joyful presence will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.

David’s strong work ethic started very early in elementary school when he went door-to-door selling greeting cards throughout the neighborhood. He and his brothers also had paper routes. He worked concessions at the West Palm Beach Auditorium, where he learned how to take money and count back change. Arriving in Alaska, he worked a summer doing concrete construction, as well as stocking and bagging at Carrs on Gamble and the BI-LO at Boniface and Northern Lights. When he turned 18, he proudly joined the Alaska Teamsters Local 959 and began his career at Sunrise Bakery in production, doing several jobs before moving to route sales as a delivery driver for over 25 years. He got his CDL through the training trust and drove the transport route to the valley for a time, then in 1999 he felt he needed a change. He became a hostler driver for Weaver Brothers for one season before settling into steady work with United Freight and Transport, where he worked for over 10 years before taking his Teamster retirement in 2008. He immediately began a new career path with the Anchorage School District as a safety security specialist for the next 15 years (two at Wendler Middle School and 13 at Begich Middle School) before his true retirement in January 2023. He also worked as a longshoreman for Sea Star Stevedore as his schedule allowed on ship days, helping unload/reload the trailers and vehicles arriving at the Port of Alaska in Anchorage for many years.

Everyone who knew David knew how much he loved his hobbies! He was known for his smoked salmon - after perfecting his process and spice rubs to deal with all the fish caught while dip netting with family and friends. He also was a lifelong award-winning photographer. He spent countless hours putting in and maintaining the ice at the Chester Valley ice rink for the neighborhood kids, as well as playing coed hockey with his brother Jim, and was a UAA Blueliners Booster Club supporter for many years. He also helped coach several of his children’s hockey teams. He was still an enthusiastic downhill skier, hiker, golfer, world traveler, and explorer. Camping was an important part of the family’s experiences that evolved from the canvas tent to the pop-up and finally the pickup camper. He greatly enjoyed all water sports (especially whitewater kayaking and rafting with the family on the cataraft), hang gliding, gold mining, taekwondo, model rockets, 8-inch telescope, astronomy, rock hounding, and lapidary. Fireworks were another passion, as well as the perfect campfire. Always an avid reader and researcher, he usually had several books going at once. Playing music was always a big part of his life, from viola in elementary school to violin later in life and harmonicas while camping. He loved listening to all different types of music and had an extensive collection of albums he played often. In conjunction with Petr’s Violin Shop, David donated instruments anonymously each year to deserving students at Begich Middle School.

David is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Stacy; daughter Terra (Lauren) of Newberg, Oregon, and son Sean of Fairbanks; parents, Pat and Betty (Meeks) Rafter of Boynton Beach, Florida; siblings Jim (Patty) of Anchorage, Patti Rezakhani (Mosleh) of Boynton Beach, Florida and Dan of West Palm Beach, Florida; nephews Brad, Kazem, and Mason and niece Cindy, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his infant sister, Deborah, and older brother, John.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider an outdoor adventure in remembrance of David.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. upstairs at Jalapeños Mexican Restaurant, 16708 Park Pl St, Eagle River, AK 99577. Family, friends, coworkers and students are welcome.