David was a devoted Catholic who be- lieved deeply in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. His faith was not some- thing reserved for Sunday mornings. He was active in his church community and sought to live each day as a good and faithful servant. His life, his family, and his business all stand as a testa- ment to the values he believed in and the faith that guided him. As we remember David, perhaps the best way to honor his legacy is to em- ulate the qualities he shared so freely with others. Attend an industry event and intro- duce yourself to someone new. Have a genuine conversation. Mentor a young arborist. Share your knowledge with a business owner who is just getting started. Continue learning. Continue growing. Invest in your family. Honor your faith. Live with intention. Most importantly, care about people the way David cared about people. If we do that, his influence will contin- ue to be felt throughout this industry for many years to come.
David understood something powerful: living a life of success is important, but living a life of significance is even more important.
ganization. He believed that both in- dividuals and businesses rise or fall to the level of leadership available to them, and he worked every day with intention and purpose to serve others better. The relationships he cultivated were never transactional; they were op- portunities to encourage, support, and positively influence those around him. David understood something powerful: living a life of success is important, but living a life of significance is even more important. Success is what we build, achieve, and accumulate for ourselves. Significance is what we do to help build, impact, and inspire others. David lived a significant life because he valued people. He saw the good in others, believed in their potential, and left them better than he found them. Count- less people in our industry can point to a conversation, a piece of advice, or a
simple act of encouragement from Da- vid that made a lasting difference in their lives. Like all of us, David faced challenges throughout his life. Yet he carried a resilience that never seemed to waver. He often shared advice that his grand- father had passed down to him: “Son, you’ve got to keep on keepin’ on — you know what I’m saying?” It was simple wisdom, but David lived it every day. John Wayne expressed a similar sen- timent when he said, “You’re going to spend the rest of your life getting up one more time than you’re knocked down, so you better start getting used to it.” David understood that consisten- cy matters more than intensity. He ap- plied that principle faithfully through- out his life, building a beautiful family, a successful business, and a legacy that far outweighs the sadness we feel in his absence.
David was a special man — a husband, father, friend, mentor, and leader to so many.
66 | Summer 2026 ArborTIMES ™
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