Dave

Dave lived a life centered around serving others and caring for the people around him. He was known as someone who would drop whatever he was doing to help a friend, a loved one, or someone in need, always putting others before himself. His loved ones say he was “generous, funny, loyal and the right amount of ornery.” He was an eternal optimist, always saying “it’ll be fine” and it was. Dave served his country in Vietnam in countless battles and was eventually wounded. While recovering at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, life took an unexpected turn when he met Pat on a blind date. From there, their love story began. Together, they shared 56 years of love, laughter, and memories. He was a proud dad to his daughter, Nikki, and a loving grandfather to Ali, Hillary, and Audrey, who brought him endless joy. He spent 30 years working at Coors Glass and was known for his ability to fix just about anything. Outside of work, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, working on cars, and cheering on the Denver Broncos.

Dave’s greatest impact came from the way he cared for people. He was generous and full of life. His kindness didn’t end when he passed away. Through tissue donation, Dave gave the gift of healing and helped improve the lives of others. His heroic legacy lives on through the people he saved and healed, continuing the generosity that he showed throughout his entire life.

“In his later years, his body and mind began to slow, but his kindness never wavered. His spirit and his spunk stuck around to the very end. Those big blue eyes, that toothy, infectious grin…we’ll never forget them. He was a beautiful man. Smart, kind, and deeply loved. His service to this country, though brave and honorable, ultimately took his life. And we honor that sacrifice,” his loved ones said. “Rest easy, Papa. We love you so much. We’ll miss you more than words can ever say.” Through tissue donation, the impact of his heroic kindness will continue to heal others for years to come.