I first met David back in the early days of Organon Teknika.

Outside of our regular jobs there, David and I had gotten involved in the first aid team. In addition, the health and safety director of OTC wanted to form a hazardous material response team. David and I became that team. We took classes, learned about wearing fully encapsulated hazmat suits, self-contained breathing apparatus’s and techniques for containing and cleaning up chemical spills. We would drill and wear all our gear. We both took the responsibility seriously. Fortunately, we never had to respond.

On the first aid team David was the first to go from Frist Responder training to full-fledged EMT. I thought that was pretty cool. David soon became a strong resource for the first aid team and everyone looked up to him. His action encouraged me to become and EMT later on. From there I went on to become a Paramedic and a Registered Nurse. It just goes to show you never know when your actions will affect the lives of others.

In conversations with David through the years I found he used his EMT skills on the football field where his son played. I am sure this was a way for him to be involved and close to his son’s activity. You could see the pride in his face and eyes when he spoke of how big and strong his son had become. Later, I know his parents were in poor health and lived with him and his family. The health issues they had also called on his medical skills as he took care of them.

David has his own health issues that called for him wearing a portable antibiotic pump to control infection at times. He wore a brace to support his arm in conjunction with this.

Through all these things I always saw David as being steadfast and focused. He did what he needed to do, he didn't complain, he just preformed. He seemed to always be on a mission. I always admired his sense of duty and responsibility. It was always clear to me he loved his family.

It is sad his life has come to a short and unexpected end. My thoughts and sympathy are with his family. I am sure he touched the lives of many that will echo thorough time. He was a good man.