Sad news

[Ganter]

Indeed, my very sincere best wishes to Dave's family and friends on this sad day.
I hope the funeral goes well and the wake proves to be a time of celebration of Dave's life and brings some comfort to his loved ones.

[spatialpro]

As has also been reported over at the CBFSim forums today has been a very emotional day. It was a good send off for DaveB. A cadre of 6 flight simmers attended. I'm immensely proud and very grateful to Ben Watson for the tribute he gave on behalf of all simmers during the ceremony. I was very touched that his family and Ben made mention of the legions of others all around the world who new DaveB and will be forever grateful for his great contribution to our pastime and for being such a gentleman. I freely admit to shedding many tears. Other things which really touched me were the hymn For those in peril on the sea, the White Ensign on Dave's coffin and Rod's Stewart's Sailing playing at the end, all given Dave's Navy service and interest in all things Fly Navy.

For those who here at SOH who were unable to attend I'm attaching the order of service (please click to access larger versions)

Andy Ford

[spatialpro]

[Ganter]

Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to post this Andy.
Best wishes to you and clear skies and fair winds and tides to dear old DaveB

[Roger]

Yes thanks Andy. Like many others I still can't believe he's gone.

[Naismith]

It's just not fair, he was only 60. Nowadays that is no age to be taken. He'll be greatly missed.

[ChipShop]

Hello everyone,
I too have been absent from the Flight Sim world, due to 'real world' family problems and pressures. I too thought I'd take a quick shufti at the forums..............

I am deeply shocked to hear that Dave has gone!

I think I can honestly say that Dave for so many of us, embodied all that was good about Flight Simming!

I used to pester him something rotten, with requests for tweaks to aircraft skins etc., or if there was something that I didn't understand regarding the complexities of downloading or something, and every time he would come up trumps!
All of this AND doing his job AND keeping SWMBO(Alison) happy (very important!), not to mention his helpfulness with other members of the Flight Sim community!

I never actually got to meet the man or talk with him over the phone; but, through the medium of the internet and our wonderful forums, I think that I came to know Dave quite well!

We have indeed lost a very special person, hopefully the 'Big Guy' upstairs has a 'full on' Flight Sim set up, for Dave to use; and he certainly won't have to bother about any more Sainsbury's 'late shifts' in the dark and rain, (he hated doing those!)

God Bless You Shipmate!

Of course my sincere condolences to Alison and Helen at this desperately difficult time!

ChipShop

[Sascha66]

God speed to blue skies, Dave.

[warchild]

Clear sky's and stiff winds Dave.. I'm sorry i missed your passing. Perhaps when its my time to join you, we can sit, have a drink and tell stories. Go fly a plane..
Always.
Pam

[modelr]

Been gone for awhile. Just read this. Sad to hear. RIP, DaveB.