David Michael Oehler (AY-lur; January 2, 1938 – February 2, 2016) was an American environmentalist and author.

[1] He graduated from New Trier High School but dropped out of college to pursue his writing career, then served in the U.S. Army before working on fishing boats.

[1] He then worked in gold mines in Alaska, joined the U.S. Forest Service, cruised around Mexico, and finally ended up in San Francisco, where he embraced the hippy movement and lifestyle.

He wrote numerous books and appeared as a university lecturer, as well as a TV and radio guest on topics related to self-sufficiency and housing.

[5] On February 2, 2016, at the age of 78, Oehler died of natural causes at his home near Bonners Ferry in Boundary County, Idaho.