Dave Henry died peacefully in his sleep at Big Sky Hospice, friends by his side, after a few days stay with continual visitors, early in the morning on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
He had a brief struggle with cancer that was diagnosed early this summer. He left us barely a year after the tragic and sudden loss of his beloved companion of more than 20 years, Sally Noe, his "sweetheart," who was struck by lightning on July 23, 2006.
A Certified Public Accountant and unflagging human rights activist, Dave devoted the past two decades of his life to seeking justice for American Indians. He was a special friend of the Crow people, having been given the name "Ack-koo-shish" ("Whistler") by Crow elder Barney Old Coyote at a feast in his honor held in his honor by the family of Richard Real Bird, then Chairman of the Crow Nation.
Born in Middletown, Ohio, on Jan. 19, 1931 to Dr. William H. and Marion Bishop Henry. He is a veteran of the US Army, having served in Japan during the Korean War. He graduated from Ohio University.
Dave moved to Billings in the mid-1980s after selling a successful accounting practice in Ohio. As a child he had always wanted to own a pony; as an adult he owned Barda Farms, a horse-boarding business. His love of and involvement with horses lasted throughout his lifetime. While in Ohio, he served as a volunteer Mounted Deputy Sheriff. After nursing his loving wife Mary through an unsuccessful battle with cancer in 1984, he moved to Montana. He spent a brief time in Kalispell prior to taking a position as an accountant for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Billings for what he considered would be more fulfilling work, serving our country’s Indigenous peoples.
The noble story of his tireless, selfless work uncovering hundreds of millions of unaccounted for Indian Trust Fund dollars (which led to his firing as a whistleblower), was detailed in his self-published book, "Stealing From Indians - Inside the Bureau of Indian Affairs, an Expose of Corruption, Massive Fraud and Justice Denied." Publicity resulting from his book and its eventual free-publication on the Internet, led to the high profile lawsuit against the U.S Department of the Interior. This is the work that led to being honored with the Crow name, "Ack-koo-shish" ("Whistler").
In addition to his work exposing the missing Individual Indian Monetary funds, Dave spent countless hours during his 20 years in Billings working for justice for those who were oppressed, underrepresented, and disenfranchised. He also worked on behalf of our environment. He will be missed by the many friends he made along the way in all his endeavors.
An incomplete list of the organizations and causes in which Dave served as a volunteer – often as a board member, often as treasurer – include: Alternatives, Inc., Billings Peaceseekers, the Billings Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the Black Heritage Foundation, the Friends of Chief Plenty Coups Association, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, Montana People’s Action, MusEco Media and Education Project, NOW-Montana Chapter (National Organization for Women), Now in Our Town, and the Yellowstone Basin Group of the Sierra Club-Montana Chapter.
He served over ten years as a member of the Friends of Chief Plenty Coups Advisory Board, playing a significant role in the annual Day of Honor, as well as educational events at Chief Plenty Coups State Park.
Dave Henry was a special person in many ways. Not only did he work tirelessly on behalf of others, but he also possessed a uniquely impish sense of humor and a ready wink. Even in his final months, he maintained his sense of humor and fun - teasing, flirting, and just being his irreverent self.
Dave had a big heart – he was kind, empathetic and accepting. He did not have many financial assets, but shared his time, his talents, and his possessions. His selfless commitment to advocating for the "least among us" sets an example for us all. Dave was sometimes misunderstood for his directness, but was always ready to apologize for any misunderstandings while standing firm on his principles.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made in Dave's name to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107.
Obituary by Scott Prinzing
