David Charles Cehrs passed away on December 1, 2022 from prostate cancer.

David was born in Fresno on October 23, 1948 to Charles and Elizabeth Cehrs. He grew up camping, hiking, skiing and traveling with his Fresno family.  His love of rocks led him to study geology at Fresno State where he earned both a bachelor's and master's degree.

It also led to his passion for rock climbing. Early on he spent as much time as he could in Yosemite Valley where he climbed the face of El Capitan. Glacier Point Apron was a frequent site for climbs. He also made first ascents of routes on Tollhouse Rock near Fresno with his climbing friends. David was a mountaineer and outdoorsman. Among his many adventures were several trans-Sierra ski trips including one very memorable trip during a blizzard.

He worked at the Agricultural Research Service for several years.  He then went on to earn a PhD in Hydrology from University of Arizona in 1991, studying silica in groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley. He was a Certified Hydrogeologist and a Registered Geologist.

In 1986 he met Anne on a Sierra Club trip in Nepal.  He was so happy to meet a woman who shared his love of mountains and travel.  They married two years later. After a honeymoon in Nepal, India and Pakistan they settled in Sanger. Their daughter Kathryn was born in 1989 and Emily in 1991. David was a stay-at-home dad to his daughters for several years when they were young. He taught his girls how to downhill ski at Badger Pass and took them hiking and climbing.  The family traveled the world on summer breaks, visiting Australia, Tanzania, Botswana, Ecuador and elsewhere. He inspired in his daughters a lasting love of nature and a spirit of adventure.  Over time David and Anne made trips to every continent.  In 2018 they returned to Nepal for a 25 day trek in the Dolpo region of Nepal for their 30 ^th wedding anniversary.

David taught Geology part-time at Reedley College. He also farmed oranges in Sanger for 50 years, and more recently, almonds  where he waged a never ending battle with squirrels over his irrigation tubing. In his spare time he volunteered with water and environmental conservation groups in California. He cared deeply about the environment. He approached the natural world as a scientist and was very frustrated by its being distorted by politics.  For many years he was on the board of the local Sierra Club Chapter and after retiring from teaching was elected to the Kings River Conservation District as a Director where he has served for 14 years.

David leaves behind his wife and daughters, his sister, Donna, many cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.  A Celebration of Life will be held on May 29, 2023, at the Cehrs' home, from  11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

The family requests that memorial tributes be made to the Fresno State Geology Department for a scholarship in his honor. Donations can be mailed to:   California State University Fresno Foundation: 5244 N. Jackson ,  Fresno , Ca  93740 with "David Cehrs Memorial Scholarship" in the memo.