David Pritchett, an ecologist, environmentalist and outspoken political activist in Santa Barbara and Reno, died recently of pancreatic cancer. He was 59.

Pritchett was a ubiquitous face in the environmental community, who fought to preserve watersheds and protect creek habitat, with a special affection for saving the steelhead trout.

He was a renter, rode public transportation, and joked that his other car was the “crosstown shuttle.”

As educated as he was on environmental and alternative transportation issues, Pritchett was also admittedly salty, with a penchant for poking those who disagreed with him.

His brash style and take-it-or-leave approach to public discourse were hallmarks of his interactions.

Dave Davis, the city’s longtime community development director, called Pritchett a “brilliant bumblebee” with a Cheshire cat smile, who was a shining light in the community.

Davis worked with Pritchett in drafting the city’s circulation element.

“He was an activist personified,” Davis said. “I had such true respect for that man.”

The two sometimes butted heads, Davis said, noting that Pritchett could be brilliant one moment and then a bumblebee underneath your shirt the next.

He was sad to see him leave Santa Barbara, but happy that “he found a good life and it ended up being joyful.”

Despite his intense approach, Pritchett had a way of winning people over with his determination and knowledge of the issues.

Former Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider said she knew Pritchett years before her first City Council campaign, and was saddened when she heard of his terminal illness.

“David Pritchett was a stalwart passionate protector of open spaces, healthy creeks, steelhead trout restoration, and grassroots democracy,” Schneider said. “He literally wore it proudly via his colorful steelhead trout lapel pin.

“He understood the big political picture, the minute wonky details, and the insider politics behind it all.”

Pritchett, who died Aug. 2, was also a media defender who spoke at rallies in De la Guerra Plaza to defend former Santa Barbara News-Press journalists who said they were muzzled by the newspaper’s ownership.

He took journalists out to coffee, commented frequently on blogs, and prided himself on being a background source explaining the “real story,” behind the scenes.

Pritchett earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from UCSB and a master’s degree in land resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A biologist, he left Santa Barbara in 2014 for work, and made his mark in another community through his environmental activism and service on the parks and recreation commission.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve named Thursday, July 27, 2023, as “David Pritchett Day.” The city also named a park after him the “Pritchett Pocket Park.”

“My heart is broken, but is also so grateful to have spent an adventure-packed nine years with David,” said his wife, Kathryn Savage, in a Facebook post. “Now our adventure continues, though on separate paths.

“He has inspired me to do the things I am passionate about, revealed the vast beauty of Nevada wilderness to me, and set an example of service to the community and the environment that I know I can never match.”

Pritchett worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before he left Santa Barbara for a Reno consulting job.

He previously was married to former Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo, and the two hosted a fun community access TV show called “Off Leash Public Affairs,” episodes of which can still be found on YouTube and Vimeo.

A registered Democrat, he ran for Santa Barbara City Council in 2009, and had a respectable showing, despite being heavily outspent by his well-funded opponents, who had support from the Randal Van Wolfswinkel political action committee, the Santa Barbara Democratic Party, and union labor groups.

He racked up more than 5,000 votes, and placed sixth in a crowded field of 13 candidates.

“Representing you and your family will be a responsibility I take very seriously,” Pritchett said at the time. “Our community faces economic hardship, challenges about environmental quality, traffic congestion and the well-being of our youth.

In addition to his professional work, Pritchett was a founding member of the city’s Transportation and Circulation Committee and the Creeks Advisory Committee.

He was appointed by former Second District Santa Barbara County supervisors Janet Wolf and Susan Rose to multiple terms on the Santa Barbara County Fish & Game Commission.

He was also chairman of the Mosquito and Vector Management District board, and served on the board of the Santa Barbara County Action Network.

His most notable public battles were against the then Veronica Meadows housing proposal near Arroyo Burro Creek. He also was relentless in his in efforts to restore water quality and fish passage in Mission Creek.

Mark Capelli, recovery coordinator for Southern California Steelhead, Protected Resources Division for NOAA Fisheries Services, worked with Pritchett and said “he made a real impact wherever he went.”

“David was never afraid to raise issues or bashful about calling out individuals or agencies that threatened local environments,” Capelli said. “He was also savvy about crafting strategies for ameliorating impacts of proposed developments or ongoing activities.”

Capelli said Pritchett began his environmental career studying vernal pools, and ended up as a “conscientious, governmental employee with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.”

Linda Krop, an attorney and executive director of the Environmental Defense Center, called Pritchett a “champion” of the environment.

“David was a leader in the local environmental community and an unwavering advocate for protection of the coast and creeks, especially Mission Creek,” Krop said.

His wife Savage said that instead of flowers or gifts, donations in Pritchet’s name can be made to his preferred nonprofit, the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation.