I never met David but I attended his memorial service, watched the video/photo display of his life and spoke with many people that did know him. I have climbed with some of his close friends and let me assure you he is not forgotten. The very few times I've climbed with Caroline (maybe 2 or 3) she was beaming as she spoke of David. In listening to her, it made me feel as if I knew him. Many of his friends recalled the memorable times they had with him (when I spoke with them at his memorial). One friend even admitted he was a bit jealous of David because he wasn't afraid to go against the grain and try for his dreams in life. I remember another friend talking about David trying to capture baby prairie dogs for pets - although he was never able to get one. I remember Caroline's mom was very complimentary of David saying he was a person that genuinely wanted to get to know people and invest time and energy in each person. She said it was something that made him special. For me personally, there are many times I think of him while climbing the peaks with my dog, Sawyer.TalusMonkeys sister wrote:
Does anyone still remember Talusmonkey? He was my big brother, and he died three years ago on Humboldt...
David struck me as a guy that lived life to the full and touched many lives. I never met him but perhaps his legacy is the thing for me that lives on so well. His life and passing are constant reminders to me (and I'm sure all of us) to enjoy what is placed before us on each day. I am not ashamed to say I have even thought about why did David pass when I am still here? I have climbed with my dog for 10 years now. I am sure many of us climbers on this site have thought that. All I can say is I am very sorry he is gone and I wished I could've met him and climbed with him. And I wonder what he would've thought of me as a person, and my dog, Sawyer, that climbs with me.
Even though I never met David, all of this is how I remember him. All of this is what I think about when I reflect on a man I unfortunately never was able to meet.
Josh Aho