David Christopher Salmon

David Christopher Salmon died Sunday, March 30, 2025, at home in Logan, Utah. He was born on October 10, 1949, in Saint Louis, Missouri, son of David William and Louise Linton Salmon. He married Susan Elaine Smith on March 19, 1977, in the Oakland, California LDS Temple.

David’s formal education included a bachelor’s degree in Asian languages and a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University in 1973 and 1975, respectively. He earned a doctorate in applied economics from the University of Minnesota in 1983.

David served in the Japan-Okinawa mission for the LDS church from 1969-1971. He returned to Japan with Susan from 2015-2017 when they served in the Japan-Nagoya mission. Much of David’s professional career was in the exotic animal feed business, taking him to zoos, aquariums, and animal parks in the United States, Asia, and the Middle East. Fluent in Japanese, he worked extensively in Japan throughout his career and felt a special attachment to the country and culture.

David was a curious, intellectual man with wide-ranging interests and hobbies. He was an avid backpacker and designed and sewed ultralight backpacking gear for himself and loved ones. Highly social, he went out of his way to strike up conversations with strangers and found pleasure in their stories. His music interests were as eclectic as his reading library, with a playlist that included Japanese Enka, cowboy songs, classical music, and the Grateful Dead. He played guitar and sang to his young children every night before bed.

He loved and prioritized his family, who felt his presence even when he was traveling and far away. He involved his family in many of his interests, including travel, concerts, backpacking, and ambitious reading lists. He valued relationships with extended family and maintained connections with them throughout his lifetime.

Surviving are his wife, Susan of Logan, Utah; two daughters, Olivia (Ryan Weber), Jennifer Rhodes (Matthew); son David Richard (Katryn Davis); and four grandchildren, Afton, Miriam, Spencer, and Benjamin Rhodes.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1260 N 1600 E Logan UT 84341 with a visitation between 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Another visitation will be held the evening before between 6 and 8 p.m. at the church. David will be interred at the Logan City Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.