Jeff was definitely an important influence on Dave during his formative years. Jeff not only introduced him to scouting, but he became deeply involved in scouts as Dave’s leader. He taught him the wonder of nature and encouraged his love for the outdoors. They hiked and camped together and worked side-by-side with many projects both in scouting and scholastically. When we asked Jeff to make the plaque for Dave’s memorial outside the greenhouse, he didn’t hesitate to take on the job.
But the job was bigger than we could have imagined because, according to Jeff, everything had to be “just right.” He had to investigate the best materials to use that could stand up to all types of weather, but would also exhibit Dave’s rustic style. Once he decided to use teak, he had to decide what to carve, buy the special tools he needed to do the job, and teach himself how to do it. After many mishaps, set-backs, and Band-Aids, he completed the plaque with Dave’s tattoo carved into the wood. As Jeff said, “The plaque comes right off of Dave’s chest. It’s scaled down but fits exactly. It just feels to me it’s what he would have wanted.” The rope border had “to be continous – never ending” like our memories of Dave. The brass plaque gave it the finishing touch.
Thank you for remembering Dave in such a personal, creative way. It was clearly a labor of love.
You’re right, Jeff, it is EXACTLY what Dave would’ve wanted. He loved that tattoo!!
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