Dave died July 6, 2017, from an apparent stroke. He jumped seven years, five at Redmond and two at Cave Junction.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Dave attended Portland State, graduating in 1970. He was an outstanding member of the nationally ranked Portland State wrestling team. He studied abroad on a Fulbright U.S. Scholarship before returning to smokejumping at Cave Junction in 1973 and 1974.

He left the government and was owner and operator of his lawn maintenance service in Portland.

Dave was an accomplished artist, especially of WWII events. One of his paintings was purchased by Tom Brokaw.

He returned to the Gobi where he actively participated full time in running the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum. He was a very popular tour guide and oversaw landscaping and grounds maintenance.