Menu
Log in

"It's all about the people"








             









A neighbor and friend has cast off lines

Our friend, Dave Beyer (W107), answered his final boarding call this morning, after a valiant battle with heart and kidney ailments.  We can take solace that he can finally rest easy now that he’s begun that final voyage that lies in the future for all of us.

It will be quieter for his life-shipmate Betsy now …

… and SO different in the marina – especially walking out Tecumseh’s west deck, without Dave on watch up on the “bridge” of their harbor-front-unit.

         Who, now, will look down to monitor each afternoon’s dock activity?  Who’ll be there to offer advice?  Who’ll give an opinion on whatever we’re carrying, and perhaps comment on whether we’re properly equipped, or dressed appropriately?

Who’ll be there to opine on whether we’re wasting our time going to the sailboat, considering that the wind is too light, or too heavy, or the weather is otherwise dubious due to threat of a squall.

          And certainly, even if someone else were to venture into this overwatch realm so long and faithfully occupied by Dave, who else could possibly duplicate the way he could accompany advice and commentary with such wide-ranging noises – a virtual soundstage of whistles, groans, squawks and other amusing sounds.

          Those of us lucky enough to have known Dave for a while, know that – apart from his (usually successful) efforts to entertain -- Dave was a serious provider of valuable advice.  A long-time HAM radio enthusiast, he was clearly a virtuoso-level expert on things electronic, and quite knowledgeable about boats and boating in general.  And he never hesitated to suggest – well, perhaps a better word would be insist – on the right way to go about the tasks that engaged neighbor boaters.

          Dating back to their days racing an O’Day Daysailor, Dave and Betsy learned how to work together in fitting out and using a succession of boats, sail and power.  In each case, those who observed Dave’s passion for everything he did had to be inspired by the way this resulted in first class vessels, maintained in perfect condition and operated in safe and seaworthy manner.

It’s a safe bet that the intensity and focus Dave and Betsy both demonstrated in building their lovely fleet, was an extension of the intelligence and overall excellence they applied during the careers both of them served as distinguished government engineers.

          And so we offer heartfelt condolences to Betsy, as we bid adieu and Godspeed to our shipmate, Dave, as he voyages into the next dimension.

If you occasionally wish you could still get some advice from Dave, you might try a HAM radio call to “W3HNU” to see if he’s listening.  He used to work the 30 to 80-meter bands, but he’s on higher frequencies now!

 

For Bob Putnam, President,

The Tecumseh Board of Directors

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software