Dave Primas

Dave Primas passed away on March 24, 2013. He was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on January 19, 1937, as he would say, you do the math. He attended Milwaukee College of Engineering where he studied refrigeration to help in his familys ice cream business, Medorose. He then moved to Phoenix where he earned a BS in business from Arizona State University, served in the US Coast Guard Reserve as a radar operator, and most importantly, met and married his college sweetheart, Mary Carole (Rusty) Hansen. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 3, 2012. After graduation, Dave accepted a job in Albuquerque as a finance officer. After some close calls staring at the wrong end of a pistol, he and Rusty decided it was time to move to safer ground. In 1969, he accepted a job at First State Bank. After Rusty completed her teaching contract with APS that spring, she and six-year-old daughter, Lori, joined him in Taos. The reunion threatened to be short-lived when Rusty experienced springtime in Taos for the first time. But seasons, like life, move on. Dave earned an advanced degree in banking from UNMs School of Banking and became vice president of the bank before purchasing Pioneer Investment from Richard Grainger and establishing the Dave Primas Insurance Agency. He was dedicated to his community as an active member in the Taos Art Association, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Taos Winter Sports Club, Kit Carson Council of Boy Scouts and, especially the Taos Volunteer Fire Department. As president of TVFD, he was instrumental in getting the substation on Camino de Santiago built. As a banker, insurance agent, fireman, fund raiser, and co-honcho of TSVs Lost, Found and Info Desk, there was hardly a place he could go without someone commenting on how he had helped them in one way or another. Of his many achievements, he was proudest of his grandson, Chris Rohlev, daughter, Lori and son-in-law, Steve Balzer of Nambe. Next to them and Rusty, whom he loved more than anything, he was devoted to anything with an engine like his John Deere tractor, International Harvester tractor, and especially Fords. His other favorites included woodworking, tinkering in his garage, fishing, corn on the cob, vanilla ice cream, tending his lawn, and TNPs in the Taos canyon. After Dave sold the insurance business and Rusty retired from teaching in the early 90s, they traveled around the globe and RVd throughout the USA, but their best trips were those with their grandson, Chris, to places like Big Meadows and Mt. Rushmore. In lieu of flowers, both the Taos Volunteer Fire Department and Mountain Home Health Care Inc. Hospice Services are accepting donations in Daves memory. A private family service will be held.