euskalkultura.eus

07/08/2020 - Boise, EEUU

David Kanneth Lachiondo ha fallecido esta mañana después de batallar con la enfermedad.

Era una persona muy conocida y apreciada en Boise, tanto en el seno de la comunidad vasca, como entre la ciudadanía, en particular en la enseñanza y en el ambiente académico, ámbitos a los que se dedicó toda su vida, además a la familia y a su compromiso como vecino y ciudadano.

A principios de este año, el Consejo de Humanidades de Idaho (IHC) le concedía su Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award (Premio de las Humanidades a un Aporte Excepcional) a David Lachiondo como profesor de larga trayectoria en Boise.

Hijo de emigrantes vascos --Julián Lachiondo, nacido en Ibarrangelu (Bizkaia) y Lydia Gandiaga, originaria de Ispaster y Markina--, este euskaltzale boiseano desarrolló a lo largo de toda su vida un firme compromiso activo con su entorno, especialmente en los ámbitos vasco y educativo, o en ambos combinados.

Junto con su esposa Patricia --también implicada en la vida vasca de Boise, especialmente en el Museo Vasco-- David Kenneth Lachiondo era padre de Diana y Alicia, ambas mujeres comprometidas en la vida vasca de Boise, que crecieron participando en los Udalekus de NABO, fueron dantzaris de Oinkari y han mantenido y cultivado la presencia vasca en sus vidas, incluso con el euskera, idioma en el que sobre todo Diana, actualmente comisionada electa del Condado de Ada, logró una gran soltura. En casa de los Lachiondo --y la cadena continúa una generación más-- el compromiso con sus raíces, aggiornadas, abonadas y creciendo en su nuevo entorno americano, es una característica que se vive y se transmite en el seno de la familia.

Y es que Dave asumió desde joven la labor de mantener, prestigiar y difundir el legado vasco que recibió de sus padres y abuelos y, además de ser profesor, educador, administrador y agente comprometido en el sistema educativo de Idaho, fue siempre una persona activa y tractora en el seno de la comunidad vasca de Idaho, enseñando historia y cultura vasca -- también, por ejemplo, en otro orden de cosas, acordeón a los más jóvenes--, como impulsor y director del programa de Estudios Vascos de la Boise State University (BSU), vivido todo ello con pasión y vocación, procurando mantener en todo momento un alto estándar de coherencia y ética como guía.

Este es el obituario publicado en IdahoStatesman, Legacy.com el 11 de agosto de 2020:

David Lachiondo passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, August 7, 2020 at home with his wife Patricia by his side.

Dave was born on May 29, 1947 to Julian and Lydia Lachiondo in Boise, Idaho. His sister Julie followed 2 years later and together they joined a loving and boisterous Basque family. The Lachiondo family lived on the Boise bench and on Hays street in the North End, across from St. John's Cathedral. Family members, such as grandmother, Juliana Gandiaga, and Cousins Simon Achabal and Rash Iglesias lived in the Lachiondo family's house over the years.

Growing up in the Basque community, Dave did not speak fluent English until he began attending first grade at St. Joseph's. For much of his first year of formal schooling, he ran home to see his Amuma at every recess and lunch break and had to be taken back to school under duress – quite the start for a person who eventually earned a PhD in Educational Leadership. After St. Joe's, Dave attended St. Teresa's Academy until its closing, and was in the first graduating class at Bishop Kelly High School in 1965 which was the beginning his lifelong love for the school.

After attending St. Mary's College in California and embarking on a career in education, Dave returned home to Idaho get his Master's in Counseling at Idaho State University, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Smedley. Dave succeeded in winning over his future father-in-law where others had not, with his excellent rendition of the "Beer Barrel Polka" on the accordion.

Dave and Patti married and settled in Boise where Dave continued his career in education, first as a counselor and then as vice principal at Boise High. Dave moved on to serve as the Principal of Fairmont Junior High before being called to serve as the Principal of Bishop Kelly High School. During his time at BK, Dave built relationships with staff, teachers, parents and students to help create a culture of academic excellence, community and faith. He was known as a tough disciplinarian with a heart of gold to the young people he worked with.

Dave's daughters, Diana and Alicia were his pride and joy. He instilled the values of hard work and an ethic of service in his girls and inspired them to carry on his legacy of service to community. He was overjoyed to become a grandfather at the birth of grandson Henry and subsequently, his father's namesake, Julian. He shared his love of baseball, Notre Dame and even silly jokes with his grandsons.

Dave's love for his Basque heritage was evident in his many activities within the local Basque community. He played accordion for the children's dance groups and for the Ikastola, Basque pre-school. He was a member of the Biotzetik Basque Choir and played his accordion regularly on First Thursdays at the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. Dave also taught classes in the Basque Studies Program at Boise State University.

In February, Dave received the award for Outstanding Person in the Humanities from the Idaho Humanities Council.

David Lachiondo believed in the power of a good hug, a bright smile and an endless commitment to bettering his community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Lydia Lachiondo, his aunt and uncle Carmen and Lou Dobaran, his father-in-law Russell Smedley and his nephew Drew Noble. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, his daughters Diana (Roger Turcotte) and Alicia, his grandsons Henry and Julian, his sister Julie (Mark) Lliteras, sister-in-law Ginger (Scott) Noble, brother-in-law Tim Smedley, mother-in-law Jane Smedley, nephews Jeff (Katie) and Scott Lliteras and family, niece Danielle (Jacob) Williamson, cousin LuAnn (Mike) Stone as well as many other relatives in both the US and the Basque Country.

Due to current health concerns, a private vigil and funeral service will be held for close family and friends. The funeral Mass will be streamed at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 14th; the YouTube link will be available at www.bk.org. A public Mass will be celebrated at a later date, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to either the Lachiondo Family Scholarship fund at the Bishop Kelly Foundation, 7009 W. Franklin Rd, Boise, 83709, or the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, 611 Grove St. Boise, Idaho 83702.

Goian Bego - Descanse en Paz Dave Lachiondo!