Dave, 81, died December 23, 2018, of congestive heart failure. Dave started working with the Forest Service in 1955 in blister rust control before entering the University of Montana and becoming a jumper in 1958. His first job with the USFS was in Lincoln, Montana. He moved frequently ending up in Grangeville in 1983, where he lived until his retirement.

Dave headed up a Type I Incident Management Team from 1981 through 1988 and received the USDA Award for Superior Service. He was active in the NSA Trails Program and started the slogan "TRAMPS Will Work for Food."