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By Rick Ewig

Dave Kathka, known and beloved by so many in Wyoming as an historian, educator, administrator, promoter of cultural heritage tourism, and, yes, an avid baseball fan (Rockies), died in Loveland, Colorado, on May 7, 2026. Born and raised in Nebraska, he went to college at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. From there he went to the University of Missouri to study for and receive a Ph.D. in history. Dave’s dissertation was a study of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation during the Truman administration. After college, he was hired by Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs in 1972, which was the beginning of his long, distinguished career in the state.

Dave began his work at the college as a history instructor, but, of course, because of his talents he went on to serve as history department chair, vice president for academic affairs, and even a time as interim president. Already taking a leadership role in the study of the state’s history, he served on many boards, including the Wyoming Council for the Humanities. In 1990, the council selected Dave as the recipient of the Wyoming Humanities Award for his many contributions to the humanities in Wyoming. Dave’s good friend, Karen Love, introduced him at the ceremony and said this: “Whatever Dave does, he seems to get an award for. So, this award we give him tonight is added to many.” She was absolutely correct. Dave already had received three Outstanding Faculty Service awards from the college’s student government, with many more to come.

To illustrate this, Dave’s effort to get young people involved in the study of history must be mentioned. In 1979, while still at the college, Dave received a brochure from Case Western University in Ohio discussing the beginnings of a history competition titled History Day for students in grades six through twelve. He realized this contest would be an excellent way to encourage the study of history in Wyoming schools. Dave was the one who brought Wyoming History Day to fruition and which, for more than four decades has involved thousands of students around the state. When Dave agreed to have Wyoming represented at the national level, there apparently were not many states that had agreed to join. When Dave spoke to the National History Day office about Wyoming joining the contest they said, “with the addition of Wyoming, it is now a national competition.” 

Dave ran the contest for three years and then the Wyoming State Archives, Museum and Historical Department along with the former Wyoming State Historical Society took over. Today the American Heritage Center administers all aspects of the contest. Shortly after Dave brought NHD to the state, the American Association for State and Local History gave him a Certificate of Commendation for starting Wyoming History Day. 

After his successful career at the college, Dave left Rock Springs for Cheyenne when he accepted the position of Director of the Wyoming State Archives, Museums and Historical Department (AMH) in August 1987. This was the perfect position because of his interest and support for the state’s history. This position also designated Dave as the State Historian. Besides the many duties of being responsible for so many history related programs in the state (state archives, state museum, etc.), the new position also made him executive director of the former Wyoming State Historical Society in accordance with state statutes. He already had served as president of that important volunteer historical organization from 1984 to 1985.  

That position allowed Dave to be involved in important history projects. In 1988, the former Historical Society and the Wyoming Historical Foundation developed a project to commemorate the state’s 100th anniversary of statehood. Titled “Autumn Magic,” named for a painting by Conrad Schweiring, the project had the five living governors, Milward Simpson, Clifford Hansen, Stanley Hathaway, Ed Herschler, and Mike Sullivan, sign prints of the painting which were then sold. Many of these can be found around the state. Dave was intimately involved in the project and the money raised was dedicated to support Wyoming History Day. Dave also was involved in the Wyoming History in Art project also created to celebrate the state’s centennial.  

During Dave’s time in state government, he also participated in a University of Wyoming program which he described as “flying university professors.” Dave, after a full day in the state office, would get on a UW plane and fly to another city to teach history courses. In 1991, he taught a History of the American West course at Eastern Wyoming College. This one did not involve flying, but two days a week during the semester, Dave and an eager student drove (sometimes in Dave’s Corvette) to Torrington for the class. One more example of his love of teaching.

Dave left state government in 1994. By that time AMH had been absorbed by the Commerce Department and his title had changed to Director of the Wyoming Division of Parks and Cultural Resources. His decision was based upon the uncertainty of potential changes with a new incoming governor, but he also was offered a position to return to Rock Springs. Dave became director of the Sweetwater Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). He remained active in education, of course.

Throughout his career, Dave was active on numerous boards, such as the American Heritage Center, Wyoming Historical Foundation, the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, and the Wyoming Arts Council.  

Dave was an unflagging supporter of Wyoming history and the arts. His legacy continues in many areas, especially in the success of Wyoming History Day. The stories about Dave and his assistance and connections to people and institutions around the state are endless.

For Dave’s 75th birthday, his wife, Linda, whom he married in a beautiful ceremony at Western Wyoming College, found the perfect way to celebrate that momentous event. She rented a suite at Coors Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies. Family and many friends attended and were able to enjoy not only the game, but also able to thank Dave for everything he had accomplished and contributed in his long career in Wyoming.   

There is no better way to end this essay than to include a description of Dave by Phil Roberts, one of the state’s most noted historians. Phil wrote about Dave: “He was a rock, an anchor, an advocate for Wyoming history and the historian all of us so heavily relied on for all those years.”

Rick Ewig became the second Wyoming History Day state coordinator, following in Dave's footsteps. He worked for Dave in the Wyoming State Archives, Museums and Historical Department and the Wyoming Commerce Department.  He was fortunate to take a class from Dave and worked with him on a number of projects. Dave and Rick traveled to Phoenix several times to attend baseball's spring training, enjoying both Rockies and Brewers games.