Col. David Olcott Lindsay

COL. David Olcott Lindsay August 28, 1940 – June 10, 2025

COL. David Olcott Lindsay "Dave" passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 84. He was born August 28, 1940, in Leavenworth, Kansas. Dave was a devoted husband, father, soldier, outdoorsman, and collector whose remarkable life left a legacy of service, perseverance, and curiosity.

Dave married Joan (Miller) Lindsay in 1963. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1964 with a B.S. in Forestry and Wildlife Management. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Armor Branch.

Dave served his country with distinction over a 28-year military career. He completed two combat tours in Vietnam (1966 and 1969). He held command at the platoon, company (in combat), and battalion levels.

After ten years as an Armor Officer, Dave transitioned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1970, he was assigned as the Deputy District Engineer for Construction in the Al Batin District, Saudi Arabia, where he had unlimited contracting authority on the $8.6 billion King Khalid Military City (KKMC) project. Later, while serving in the Ordnance Corps at Rock Island Arsenal, IL, he deployed for a third time during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the personal representative for the Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command (AMCCOM).

He was a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses (Fort Knox, KY), the Army Command and General Staff College (Fort Leavenworth, KS), and the U.S. Army War College (Carlisle, PA).

Following his retirement as a Colonel in 1995, Dave and Joan settled in northern Idaho, building their dream home overlooking the St. Joe River near St. Maries. There, Dave reconnected with his roots in forestry, actively managing 65 acres of timberland and enjoying the surrounding wildlife.

Dave was also an avid firearms collector with a special interest in the Luger pistol. He amassed a carefully curated collection and became a respected expert in a unique niche: Luger magazine loading tools (Schraubenzieher). His research led to a published appendix in the book The Mauser Parabellum 1930–1946, and he authored several independent papers, including a comprehensive study on loading tools from 1900 to 1946, and a 2019 publication on the extremely rare 1900 Luger long-neck loading tool.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, David Thomas Lindsay and Lucille (Lindsay) Sellers; stepfather, Arthur R. Sellers; and sister, Laura (Lindsay) Dyson. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan (Miller) Lindsay, of Meridian, ID; and their three children: Thomas Lindsay of Butte, MT; Shana Lindsay of Fairbanks, AK; and Donald (Sheila) Lindsay of San Francisco, CA.

Among his many decorations, COL. Lindsay received the Legion of Merit, eight Bronze Star Medals (three with "V" Device), two Purple Hearts, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge, among numerous others.

Dave Lindsay was a devout Christian who lived a life of service, learning, and quiet passion. His integrity, humility, and love for his family will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meridian United Methodist Church; Community Presbyterian Church, St. Maries, ID; or Trinity United Methodist Church, Leavenworth, KS.