Dave died July 3, 2021, in Eugene, Oregon. He was born September 14, 1945, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and grew up in Susanville, California. He graduated from Lassen High School in 1963 and completed his Associate of Arts Degree at Shasta College in Redding, California.

Dave started his career with the USFS in 1964 on the Lassen N.F. working his way from Forestry Technician to Tank Truck Operator to Engine Foreman. He rookied at Redding in 1970 and was part of the Retred Program in 1973. Dave worked as Helitack Foreman 1974-77 and was Fire Control Officer 1978-79 on the Milford District of the Lassen N.F.

He moved to the Klamath N.F. 1980-89 as Battalion Chief on the Oak Knoll R.D. and was with BLM in Apple Valley 1990-92. Dave took over as Air Tanker Base Manager at Redding 1996-2006 and then held the same position at Reno-Stead Air Attack Base 2007-11.

Dave and his wife, Linda, retired in Eugene, Oregon. They have two daughters, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.