Dearest Jenny, Sierra and Kai,

We are so very sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful father and husband. David was an incredibly special person, and we loved reading about his precious 55 years on earth, his past family with whom he reconnected, and his time with you, his beloved family, and how he prioritized spending time with you as much as possible. It hurts so deeply to lose the ones we love, even more so when it feels way too soon. We never forget them, and especially wish they were with us at important times in our lives. Memories of your time with him, and pondering his thoughts and philosophy about things (as in, what would Dad say about this?), will help comfort you in those hardest times we hope. It sounds like he left you with many precious gifts to help keep him close in your lives and hearts.

We remember his music and his smile, his calm energy, (though he had a fierce protective fathering instinct if there was ever something that seemed to be getting too close to his little ones, which we admired), and his courage and grace when he learned of his illness. We enjoyed on more than one occasion visiting you in your sunny place upstairs, filled with musical instruments and recording equipment, his abundant enthusiasm about special musical projects, and having a wonderful meal together lovingly prepared by Jenny and David. We will look through our photos of our time all together there in that brown-shingled house on Delaware St. and send any your way. Holding you in our hearts at this very difficult time.

Your old neighbors & friends,

Kristina, David, Luco and Felix (and now Gabe whom I don't believe you met)

Dear Jenny, Sierra, and Kai,

Our hearts are breaking for you all.  Tom and I were so touched by the beautiful memorial on Sunday.  David was such a beautiful light in the world and such a warm, loving , and caring soul.  What a tremendous loss to you and to everyone that knew him - but I can't help but think what a precious gift it was to have had the honor to know him. I am deeply sorry for the pain that you must be feeling at this time. I hope you find comfort in the thought that he does carry on in all that you have built together.

We are sending you healing warmth and love in this difficult time. I will be in touch to find out if there is anything we can do from afar.  Much love to you all.

(I wanted to share this message during the Celebration of Life but could not see how to 'raise my hand.')

David was one of my closest friends. This message is for David, Jenny, Sierra and Kai.

David and I met at Kaiser in 2002 when we worked together at KP’s corporate headquarters in Oakland. David was my administrative assistant as I led a national demonstration project. David was studying Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the time. His long ponytail and Ho Chi Minh beard, along with his cherub-like smile and calm presence made him stand out.

As David prepared to launch and develop his healing practice, I was his business coach, and he became my acupuncturist. And we became friends as we shared more and more of our personal lives. He had met Jenny and they then started their family. I was witness to how they changed his life, how he blossomed and came alive out of his incredibly deep love and devotion to each of them.

David and I were true friends, our relationship based in shared beliefs, mutuality, trust, and respect. And in spirit. After his diagnosis, we talked a lot about his illness, about dying, and about death. I asked him to help me read my brother’s autopsy report after Tim died. No one else could have done that for me.

David wanted to live. He would not give up. He wanted to spend every day that he could, helping to guide, nurture and shelter Sierra and Kai for as long as he could. And to love and support Jenny, who he cherished. His love for them, and theirs for him, sustained him for years beyond expectations.

David believed in the unseen world. And I have absolutely no doubt that he is with us, right now. And he will be with you - Jenny, Sierra and Kai - for eternity.

Here's a slightly longer version of the memories I share at Dave's memorial.  Thanks to everyone for sharing; it was wonderful.

https://docs.google.com/docum…

I just want to send you all my love and appreciation. I lift you up in gratitude and with my wish for strength and support and for you to be surrounded by love.

I hug you tight, my dears.

Marina 

Here is recording Dave made this January that he shared with me:

"Mama's Eyes" by Justin Townes Earle

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.  David was a loving soul who touched so many of us and we consider ourselves lucky to have known him. Rest in peace David. We love and miss you.

David and Megan Schrimmer

Dave and I used to play around in small jazz groups, usually just for fun in the music practice halls. But occasionally gigs on campus -- free of course, always free. He calls me one day and says we're going to play at the Grove, the hip outdoor co-op coffee shop in the middle of campus. Three of us go down there and set up in what is basically a wide spot in the walking path under the eucalyptus trees... did we actually have permission to do this? Who knows, who cares. We had our instruments and  "what do you guys want to play" as a set list. 

And so we jammed. We were half bad, and so not half bad either.  The thing that stuck with me though was that we played Mo Better Blues, which is a song that stuck with us for years, for decades, as sort of a fall back when we needed to feel something comfortable and joyful. As we finished a student walked by and said, "thank you, I love that song!" We talked about that later -- who needs money when you can reach someone and have so much fun doing it? I know we both remembered that moment, a life lesson of sorts, maybe.  A milestone, a great memory.  We were so young and still learning and yet had no fear in going out and trying. And we connected with someone, maybe only that someone but still -- you only need one good gig to carry you through.