David C. Tambo
David Carl Tambo passed away on Dec. 25, 2024, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after a very short illness. He was born in Albert Lea, MN on May 1, 1946, to Jens Christian (Chris) and Roma (Straub) Tambo. He grew up in Albert Lea and then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.
He met his first wife, Shirley Rehnelt, at Mount Rushmore, SD, in 1965 where they both had summer jobs. They married in December 1966 while Dave was finishing his degree. After graduation, seeking adventure, they signed up for the Peace Corps and went to Nigeria where they taught English.
In the Peace Corps they met other young people from England, Canada and the US. They maintained those friendships throughout their lives. At the end of their Peace Corps tour, they traveled east, visiting India, Nepal, and several countries in East Asia before returning to the States.
They moved to Madison, WI, for several years where Dave studied African History at University of Wisconsin. A Fulbright Fellowship took them back to Northern Nigeria to study the iron ore industry of the 1800s. They took along their baby daughter, Kirsten, and Dave traveled throughout the countryside taping interviews with people who had worked in the industry while Shirley taught school. While he didn’t finish the doctorate for that work, he later gave his research to the library archives at UW and UCSB.
He completed a second master’s degree in library archives at UW and in 1980 the family moved to Muncie, IN, home of Ball State University where he became head of Special Collections at the library. Dave and Shirley moved to an historic district where they met new friends interested in renovating their old houses and they joined in the activities in that community.
In 1987 the family went to London for Dave to direct BSU’s London Center program—and they enjoyed more travel around Europe on vacations. At the end of the year abroad however, Shirley unexpectedly and suddenly died while being treated for a newly diagnosed illness.
Like many young men growing up in the Midwest in the 1960s, David had dreamed of someday moving to California. That dream came true in 1991 when he moved from Indiana with his daughter to Santa Barbara to become the Director of Special Collections at UCSB Library. The following year he married Pam Flynt, whom he had met in the Muncie neighborhood where they had all lived.
Dave and various family members traveled as much as time would allow. After retiring he and Pam made a road trip across the US. This love of travel also took him to India, Nepal, UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Scandinavia. He visited England many times for theatre, museums, parks, pubs, and especially to see friends. He also enjoyed traveling in Canada, all the states and California—especially Big Sur.
His last trip was to Russia, Poland and the Baltic states a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic began and simultaneously Dave’s health began to decline. In retirement he spent many hours cultivating the perfect drought-resistant garden.
Dave is survived by his wife, Pam Flynt Tambo; daughter, Kirsten Tambo; step-children, Jennifer and Mike Flynt (Ann Gaylin); sister Mary Roozenboom and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley, in 1988.
The Tambo family thanks the dedicated staff at Cottage Hospital, the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and the grief counseling team at VNA Health Bereavement Care for their compassionate care.
Friends and former colleagues are welcome to join our family on Friday, May 2 at 5 pm to share memories, stories and visit together. Please email friendsofDaveTambo@gmail.com for details.
