American Contract Bridge League
Unit 484   District 20

Profile

October, 2006

I talked with Dave Runkel last week, shortly after he and wife, DeeDie, had had a particularly busy weekend at their "bed and breakfast" complex on East Main Street in Ashland. In addition, the Runkels were trying to beat a deadline for a submission to AARP Bulletin. They write the News West of the Mississippi segment each month. They also volunteer for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Dave ushers at the evening performances and DeeDie is in charge of the hearing devices booth at the New Theater.

Dave and DeeDie followed their dream of becoming hosts of a B&B by purchasing the 100 year old Ann Hathaway Cottage in 2002. They added the All’s Well B&B and the As You Like It B&B to their campus in 2004. The genial hosts provide a three course breakfast to their guests, an afternoon tea and evening snacks in a setting of antiques, art, gardens and other amenities. Dave is the gardener of the family; he grows many of the herbs used in the cooking as well as making sure there are fresh flowers in each of their guests’ rooms. The Runkels are known for the melt-in-the-mouth scones they make from scratch. Dave and DeeDie chose Ashland not only for its cultural climate, but because they could be within driving distance of two of their children, Marshall, in Portland, and Lucy, in San Francisco. Sarah, their other daughter, lives in Ashville, North Carolina, where she is an organic gardener. Dave and DeeDie moved to Ashland from Washington, D.C., where they held journalism and government positions.

In spite of Dave’s busy schedule, he still has time to indulge his love of playing bridge. Until just recently, Dave was Vice President of the board of directors of the member-owned Ashland Club. The club was purchased by Bernadine Lacy in September of 2006. One of Dave’s responsibilities was purchasing the sandwich fixings for the snacking table each Friday. Dave grew up playing "500," which he says is distantly related to bridge. He played a little bridge in college, but got serious about it later. He joined the ACBL in 1980. Dave has amassed over 300 points, but lacks the gold to become a Life Master. He particularly remembers a club to which he belonged in Belize, in the Caribbean. He and DeeDie were there in a Peace Corps capacity and for setting up an independent news service. Dave remembers the cosmopolitan make-up of the club.

Dave was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He attended school in that state, earning his degree at Penn State in economics. He met DeeDie in college. She was majoring in English. They have been married for 43 years. The Runkels have recently welcomed their first grandchild into the family, a little girl named Ramona, who was born to Marshall and his wife, Melissa.

Dave loves the Rogue Valley with its beautiful and cultural climate. He loves being able to walk to the theater and many other places. He loves meeting the many fascinating people who stay at their Ann Hathaway B&B and Garden Suites, and Dave is happy to be a part of our bridge scene. He enjoys the challenge of the game, and he especially enjoys the delightful people sitting at the tables. Thanks, Dave, for your many contributions to our organization.