John Dickinson
I first discovered this obituary in early 2016. Frankly, I could never quite accept that it was Dave. I couldn't remember where he was born, but I was aware of the Hawaii connection; so I decided it couldn't be anyone else. Then I wondered if maybe a clerical error had been made, and the wrong person was listed as dead. Finally I decided it must be Dave. If so, I don't know what to say. He was my best friend for a very long time. I've had a handful of best friends, but Dave was really the best of my best friends. We went through a lot together. I guess I won't quite believe he's gone until someone can tell me what happened. Dave and I had some disagreements, and at times we grew apart, but I always considered him my friend. I learned a lot from him. We had many good times together. Knowing him, I think, has made me a far better person. In fact it's hard for me to conceive of my life without his influence. I'm sure I would have turned out to be a much different person. There's no question in my mind at all—Dave's influence in my life was almost entirely positive, and to an extraordinary degree. Without his influence, there's no telling where I would have ended up. I can't even imagine it. He was strong, savvy, and wise in the ways I was weak, naive, and foolish. I think he would also be the first to say that he had learned a lot from me, as well. But I think I may have gotten the better part of the bargain. I think I had farther to come than Dave did, and he helped me get there, without even trying, just by being my friend. Dave was the most extraordinary "people person" I have ever met. He had a knack for cutting through the crap. He could spot a jerk very quickly; and he could equally quickly see good qualities in people who others might too quickly dismiss. And he was usually right in both kinds of cases. He could get along well with anyone who was worth getting along with. He could make friends instantly and be like a friend to them instantly. I suppose it's because he moved around a lot as a child. It became a survival mechanism; but really, it came very easy to him. It was in his nature. The first time you meet him he can make you feel like you've known him all your life. And he will treat you that way. He was an extraordinary human being among extraordinary human beings—and I know, because I've known a lot! But I've never known anyone else like Dave. Not even close! What was unique about him, what made him Dave, was very rare. I've never encountered it in another human being. That's no exaggeration. It's the only way I know to describe that aspect of him. It was unique. It was an extraordinary gift to have known him. In fact, beyond any concept of value. I can't say that about many people. I only wish I had said some of these things to him before he died. But he would have stopped me. He would have felt I was being too sentimental. Not that he wouldn't appreciate the thoughts. He would. But he would probably have stopped me before I made too much of a fuss. But I'm also sorry I couldn't be there and say these things at his funeral. I simply didn't know he had died. And by the time I found out, I was living almost 500 miles away. Now I'm living even further away—about 750 miles—and I still haven't gotten a chance to get back to Dallas and talk to anyone who can tell me what happened. Dave, my good buddy, I'll miss you. Always your friend: John Dickinson