Patti - I forgot to mention an impression I had at the memorial:

 Your yard has that long straight paved path to the back, where a flat stone bench sits (behind which Dave's ashes rest) - - looking at the scene, the bench looked just like an altar to me.  And it is in fact a locus of a sacred ritual.  The view of Dave's resting place just looks like an altar to me.........pardon me, but I just love the symmetry of the image. Well done, Patti.

love, Clay

From Jeanette and Steve Perlsweig

We have three things that we want to share:

We loved Dave and Patti’s 2nd wedding – not in Vegas – but in their beautiful backyard. It was a joyous, musical, and fun celebration. And, oh, that kiss!

In the past couple of years, we had two outings with Patti, Dave, Lisa and Gus – first in January 2023 to the Matisse exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, then in July 2024 to the Barnes Foundation. We thoroughly enjoyed the stimulating company that made these museum visits uniquely special. Dave had a vast reservoir of knowledge – some of which was in the realm of the art world. We were thrilled when he shared his insights and humor with us.

From Steve: Two years ago when Dave was hospitalized at Lankenau Hospital, I made a couple of visits to see him. Even though he was obviously struggling medically, he wanted me to see the bright side of what was going on with him. He was welcoming and upbeat and amazingly lucid and caring about how I was doing. 

We'll miss Dave. We're here for you, Patti.

Love, Jeanette and Steve

It takes Dave 4 minutes or 7 minutes to learn a song.

That was how I related how fast Dave Bennett could pick-up a song.

Patti, having heard me say “It takes Dave 4 minutes or 7 minutes to learn a song”, asked me to write about that.

-----A story:Several years ago, I was learning “Josie”, by Steely Dan   https://tinyurl.com/2am9ukxb “Josie” is a funky, kick-ass blues.  I’d practice, using the sheet music, aiming to get the chords and rhythms right. I loved the challenge.  

It lacked something. A bass guitar?

-----Well ... 'twas Spring Thing.  I’d brought my Steely Dan songbook.It was one of those afternoons where most people were in workshops. I saw Dave and asked: “Would you, by any chance, help me with a Steely Dan song?” 

Dave and I were, perhaps, the only ones in the Dining Hall.We sat across from each other at one of those long, grey tables.I told him, and played for him, what I knew so far.

(In the presence of a Master).We went over the many chords.  We went over the syncopated rhythms.And I don’t remember a damned thing else!

-----What I do remember is:  Forty-five minutes later.   “Josie” had ascended from good-intentions to MUSIC! I was surely the happiest man at Spring Fling - perhaps in all Pennsylvania.

-----As I was writing this, I thought: Dave Bennett was an ELEVATOR.Dave Bennett elevated everything and everyone.  BTW: This "Josie" is hardly the only time Dave  performed magic upon one of my song efforts. 

Dave Bennett was a Giver - kind, blunt when required; whipsmart, strong, funny and gracious.

R.I.P.  my dear friend, my teacher.  You deserve it.   

Once Dave and I were at a party at Cy and Lindsay Callaghan’s house.  Lindsay came up to me and told me that they were planning to take a “bike and barge” tour of the Netherlands, and there was room left for one more couple. She asked whether Dave and I might like to come. Knowing how Dave felt about travel, I was doubtful, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. When presented with the possibility, Dave’s response was, “Unexpected travel plans are invitations from God to dance.”  And I thought, “This is why I love this man.”  

So we went, along with Cy and Lindsay, Cap’n Dave and Heather, Amy Sutryn and other people we didn’t know who became friends, and had one of the best vacations of our lives.  We got to dance with God. 

Dave was greater than the sum of his parts.  He was smart, talented and funny, for sure. And his social persona fit that. But if you talked with him one on one, a layer of insight and understanding came into view, surprising only because he socially was so easy to get along with, and spread harmony (pun intended).  But he kept his seriousness close most times.  

 So I came to know him through Tuesday jams -  I had a small hand drum that I did not know how to play, but the group encouraged me to participate (I had no training, but I had decent tempo and I usually knew where One was :-).  Dave however, reached out to me to join a small band being  formed by Cy Callaghan, telling Cy I could play.  This doesn't sound like much, but I deeply respect musicians and musical ability and I was greatly honored (if not blown away) by Dave's recommendation.  An act of kindness and affirmation that was and is appreciated greatly. And I only found out from Cy later on, that it was Dave who recommended me to him.  Dave never said anything to me.  He did not seek or seem to need thanks.   But thank him I did (and do).

And he had a great sense of humor.  He rarely missed a joke or reference. He just about always brightened a room when he joined. And of course he was a solid bass player.  All the more reason for me to be honored by his recommendation to join that little band.   I will forever hear Dave's voice singing Townes Van Zandt's "Pancho and Lefty".  He played it right - understated, with quiet feeling.....

Finally, I want to reiterate my opening statement: there was much more to Dave than met the eye. In the best way, he showed  compassion and kindness in a very understated manner.  He didn't draw attention to himself.

I only wish I had told him all this while he was with us.   But then, none of us gets to hear our own eulogy......Dave, if you are listening,  we love you man.

Clay Jerolmack