I’ll never forget the first time Gary held our daughter-she was just born and he sat in the window seat in the hospital room cradling her in his arms ever so gently as she peacefully slept. It was the sweetest moment, time seemed to stop and all became quiet.  I saw how much he loved our girl and I loved him even more for that. He always wanted to spend time with his Alexis, even changing her diapers, getting up in the night to give her a bottle or getting her off to sleep. He was a great help during those early days when the hours were so crazy. I can’t tell you how many times he went off to work exhausted. He took to fatherhood like a fish to the water.

Gary was responsible for so much gossip on DAP. When I was on the program, I was good friends with Paul Leonard, another engineer at Boeing. Paul and I had to continuously correct the rumor that we were dating which Gary was 100% responsible for.  For the record, we have never dated -- just good friends.  I remember if Gary ever saw us together, at lunch or just around the building, I would think "oh crap, here we go again."  Gary definitely made work fun and entertaining, whether it was to just come chat (about another rumor no doubt) or to come complain about how everything on the program was screwed up. He was so good natured about everything, even when complaining about management's latest antics, that it was hard to be in a bad mood after talking to him.  He definitely loved being a father which was apparent to anyone he ever talked to. He always talked about what he was doing with Alexis that weekend or what they had done recently.  I still can't believe he is really gone and I will miss his smiling, gossiping ways every time I come back to visit everyone at DAP.

I had the pleasure to work with Gary at various times over the past 12 years at BBJ and DAP.  When ever I would come into the office and Gary was around he would take the time to come over and ask how I was doing and what was new.  His concern was genuine and sincere.

He always had a great smile and positive attitude.  Those in the BBJ and DAP communities will miss him greatly.