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08/07/2020 - Boise, ID, USA

David Kenneth Lachiondo passed away this morning at home in Boise, after a period of battling illness.

He was a very well-known and appreciated person in Boise, both within the Basque community and in the city and Idaho in general.

Just a few monts ago, at the beginning of the year, the Idaho Humanities Council awarded its Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award  to him, as a professor with a long career in Boise. 

Son of Basque immigrant, Julian Lachiondo, born in Ibarrangelu (Bizkaia) and Lydia Gandiaga, originally from Ispaster and Markina, Dave had a firm commitment to the community that he developed throughout his life, especially in the Basque and educational fields.

Along with his wife Patricia, also involved in Boise’s Basque life, especially at the Basque Museum, David Kenneth Lachiondo was the father of Diana and Alicia, both very committed to the Basque life in Boise where they grew up attending NABO Udalekus, dancing with the Oinkaris maintaining and cultivating a Basque presence in their lives. Diana was recently elected County Commissioner for Ada County.

Dave Lachiondo assumed the task of maintaining, appreciating and spreading the Basque legacy that he received from his parents and grandparents.  Besides being a professor, educator, administrator and agent committed to the Idaho system of education, he was always active, and at the heart of Idaho’s Basque community teaching  Basque history and culture, or accordion, as well as serving as a supporter and director of the Basque Studies Program at Boise State University (BSU) living it all with passion and vocation.  He worked at all levels, maintaining a high standard of coherence and ethics as a guide.

UPDATED Aug 11: This is the obituary published in IdahoStatesman, Legacy.com on August 11, 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 - Rest in Peace Dave Lachiondo!