This makes me sad.
He and I were friendly competitors at my first stop, and we frequently crossed paths. After I left, we'd exchange pleasantries when we'd see one another after that.
He just retired recently. He had some health problems he was perpetually trying to overcome in the time I knew him, and from what I had heard, it seemed he had licked some of them.
His weight was of constant concern when I was around, I frequently got updates from him on his work regimen and was once memorably asked to critique what I thought about his physique, still the most memorable oddball exchange I've ever had with a peer.
I'll never forget covering a Jeffersonville-Louisville Ballard game at Ballard's tiny (by Indiana standards) gym in the late 90s. I remember poor Dave sitting up there among the student section because I had beaten him to the only press table seat. The game was decided on a controversal 3-point call for Ballard, and I remember Dave and I badgering the hell out of the Jeffersonville kid filming the game to show us a replay.
That's just one of many stories. He was an interesting guy. Great to ask do interviews with, we'd feed off of each others questions, following one another up, trying to get the better quote. He raised the bar for me as a young reporter, I knew I couldn't bring any weak questions into the discussion.
RIP Dave. I enjoyed sharing a press table with you. God bless you and your family.
