Born in Atlanta, Dave graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1966. He joined the US Army, Special Forces, serving in Vietnam 1967 and '68. Upon leaving the Army, he joined a Special Forces reserve unit in WA State, and worked as a Civil Engineer.
In Vietnam, Dave met Evelyn Hardison, a social worker at the 67th Evac. Hospital in Qui Nhon. Married in Sydney, on R and R they had 55 years together.
