When I arrived to work at the museum in 1977 as a young, green kid from the Annapolis Valley, I was greeted by a wonderful person who understood what it was like to be new to the museum. Dave was such a wonderful person and made me feel at home. During a person's life, we may experience a very small persentage of people that will guide and make a ever lasting impression on yourself. Dave was one of those people. I am honoured to have known him. Early in my carreer, and after Dave had moved back to the Gaspereau area we would travel together and he would always pick me up and drop me off in Kentville. This continued until I was able to purchase my own vehicle.
His studio, at the museum, was an everyday meeting area for breaks and lunches. It was a special time that everyone would look forward to. This tradition for lunches in this room continues to this day.
Dave would often just keep on working during the lunch time and would often just comment when asked.
What I remember was almost everyday he heat up a can of tomato soup on his small hot plate, with a cut up oinion and a peanut butter sandwitch, that he would sit and eat while working on his projects. He would say, "yum yum". I really don't I think he ever really tasted it.
As a co-worker, we were always in awe of his talents as a model maker, artist and craftsman. At the world class level. Dave would often put a small, suttle personal touch within his work. Only we would know what they were and some still are in his work today.
I could write stories about Dave all day long but I want to finish by saying how proud I am to say I worked along side of Dave and could call him my friend. I will truely miss him and never forget the kindness and wisdom that he gave me.

John Kemp
Manager, Museum of Natural History