After Graduation, Dave spent the summer enjoying time with his family and friends. In August, he enlisted in the US Navy and went to Boot Camp at Great Lakes. After he completed that course, he was stationed at the, then called Naval School of Music in Washington DC. He went through the Basic Course and then was stationed in the band aboard the Flag Ship of the 6th Fleet, the USS. Des Moines out of Villafrance, France. The ship traveled to many ports in the Med and the band played at them all. From the time of enlistment to then he had made Musician 3rd Class.
In May of 1960, Dave flew back to the States for a two week visit and for our wedding- Dave and Julie (the former Julie Hayden). We then flew back to Villefrance to enjoy a year of Julie traveling from port to port following the ship. In July of 1961, we flew back to New York where he was discharged. We then flew to Clear Lake to visit with family and friends before taking the train to Albuquerque NM.
In August of 1961, our first daughter was born, Tami Lynn. Dave worked as an instructor of accordion and piano near where we lived. He also attended some classes at the college there. (I can not remember the name of it, I am sorry.) In August of 1962, our second daughter was born, Teri Lou.
About nine months later Dave decided to join the Coast Guard Band in New London Conn. We packed up the family and drove back to Clear Lake awaiting Dave's orders. There was a mixup on them and he never did receive verification of acceptance in the Coast Guard.
That was a good thing, it turned out. Dave then re-enlisted in the US Navy and we drove to Washington DC where the School of Music still was at that time. We lived in DC during the time of Kennedy's assasination and Dave stood in the Cordon along the route of the procession and also at Arlington Cemetery. In 1964, the Naval School of Music moved to Norfolk, Va on the Little Creek Amphib Base. We of course, followed the School because Dave was at that time on the Staff as a trombone instructor.
In June of 1965 we had our third daughter, Toby Louise.
Dave had taken up the hobby of bowling because the base bowling alley was right across the street from the School of Music. During the next several years he won District and Regional Playoffs. He was working at the Bowling Alley on the base part time so he had access to all the free practice bowling he could manage!
Meanwhile, he had earned his way up through the rate of MU2, MU1 and Chief Petty Officer, Musician. He continued at the School of Music where he was then the Registrar of the School. He also played in the Faculty Concert Band and on occasion, other small groups. He also instructed trombone for a period of time.
In 1970 we had our fourth daughter, Tonya Lea. By that time we had moved to our home in Virginia Beach, Va. Life continued much the same for Dave though the years. He retired as Senior Chief Musician in 1989 after 30 years service. He then worked full time at the bowling alley and also instructed bowling.
In his 30 years service, Dave was an All Navy bowler for six years and won the All Navy championship in 1982. He was elected to the Tidewater Bowling Council Hall of Fame in 1989.
During all this time, our daughters married and had children. We have been blessed with 5 Grandsons and 2 Grandaughters. In June of last year our first Great Grandson was born.
In 1994 Dave was diagnosed with Multiple Myloma, a form of cancer of the bones. He had extensive back surgery to stabilize his back. For the remainder of his life he had very little discomfort from the cancer or the treatments and was able to enjoy life up until the last few months.
He passed away on the 26th of June, 1999 but he will live in our hearts forever. As a Scottish Bagpiper played 'Amazing Grace' in the distance and the gun salute went off... tears were shed. But it wasn't long before the stories that his friends had to tell of his antics, had us all smiling and remembering Dave's great sense of humor.
