Our beloved Dave, also fondly known as Ironman, Superman, Naked Dave, Hero and his very favorite of all - ‘Uncle Dave’ slipped away peacefully at our home on June 25, 2024, after a 3-1/2 year battle with Pancreatic Cancer. It was a bright and sunny Dana Point day and Dave was surrounded by the love of family and friends and the sharing of stories of a life so fully lived. He was 64 years young.

When Dave was diagnosed in December of 2020, his oncology team told us that he likely had

8 months or so to live… the cancer had spread too much and it was time to “Get Your Affairs In Order.” Dave’s reply to that was a big F-You! If you heard Dave say it once, he said it a thousand times “I Am Not Going Anywhere!”

From day one Dave soldiered on and fought his battle with the Heart of Lion, Abundant Character, Strength, Grit, Grace, the Determination of a Thousand Warriors… and most of all he did it with LOVE!

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David Michael Drummond

April 3, 1960 - June 25, 2024

Dave was born in the charming small town of San Luis Obispo. From an early age, Dave was a beacon of kindness, devotion and character, traits that he carried with him throughout his life.

Dave had a passion for adventures and the great outdoors. That passion started at an early age on the family farm in the Central Valley. Dave loved the freedom of getting lost in the wide open spaces, building forts and surfing the water-soaked alfalfa fields. He loved sharing the family chores with his Mom Rae, and Rick and Kelly, his older brother and sister, who he adored.

During his younger years Dave also spent a great deal of time with his Mother’s older brother Herb and his cousins, who Dave lovingly referred to as ‘The Smith’s’. Dave’s eyes would always light up when telling of his adventures with ‘The Smith’s’ - a clan of 6 kids. Dave loved the feeling of being a part of such a big and extended family.

A big childhood surprise came when Dave learned that his Dad, Chuck had 2 sons from another marriage. It didn’t take long for Dave to fall in love with them too! Dave loved spending time with Chris and Mike and Mike’s 2 boys Kevin and Kyle.

Dave spent his Junior High and High School years in Fresno. As you might imagine, there were many more adventures to be told and some that can’t or shouldn’t be told :) Dave loved hanging out with ‘his buddies’, crushing on school girls, cruising the boulevard and going to music shows. Dave had an intense love for music and concert-going, a pass time that he brought with him to share with Barbara during their love life.

Dave graduated High School in 1978 and moved to Southern California. He moved to Malibu to stay with his older brother Rick, while figuring out what to do after High School. A 17-year old boy living in Malibu - Dave was in ‘Hog Heaven’! He then moved to Orange County. Barbara moved to Orange County from Philadelphia, just the year before… the stars were beginning to align.

1981 Was a very good year:

In August of 1981, Dave was introduced to a friend of his mom’s who was the owner of Tilley Steel, and he gave Dave a job on the spot. Dave was now officially an ‘Ironworker’ a career trademark that he wore so very proudly. In December of 1981, Dave met the love of his life and soul mate, Barbara at a dance club. That night marked the beginning of a love story. A union of enduring love, mutual respect, unwavering support and shared dreams. A love that weathered all of life’s storms and stood the test of time for decades. New Career, New Love, New Life… 1981 was a very good year, indeed!

In 1984, Dave and Barbara married and bought their first home. Dave and Barbara’s early marriage was filled with hard work, making homes together and spending lots of time outdoors with family and friends, including endless days at the beach, remote camping trips, hiking, fishing, rock climbing and scuba diving excursions, traveling the US and abroad, anything that seemed fun and exciting - sign them up! Dave also summited some of California’s highest peaks with his best friend and the second love of his life, Brian. The foursome of Brian, his wife Ellen and Dave and Barbara shared many travels and adventures together. Dave’s passion for nature, the outdoors and adventures was a way of life that he eagerly shared and taught to family and friends.

Dave and Barbara loved to fill their homes with family and friends and gatherings and parties. They spent lots of time designing, remodeling and renovating their homes to create the perfect spot to host unforgettable backyard barbeques, Super Bowl parties, watching as many Dodger, Rams and Lakers games as possible, or just chilling and hanging out. They instantly bonded with neighbors and forged lasting, close and deep friendships that they carry with them today. You could always find Dave in his ‘Happy Spot’, hanging out in the garage, listening to music, shooting the shit with the neighbors or whoever passed by. Dave was so very proud of the life he and Barbara were creating together.

Family life suited Dave. He deeply loved his in-laws, Mike, Linda, Michael, Billy, Ally, Monica, and Patti - all friends and confidents.

Dave found immense joy and fullfillment in dedicating quality time to his family, particularly with

‘The Kids’, as Dave called them - his Nephews and Nieces: Ryan, Brennan, Gregory, Meghan, Kaitlin, Carter and Nolan. They were the lights of his life and he loved them like a Father. He found such joy in teaching them to ride bikes, play ball, ride waves, sharing his Buddha spirit and his boundless optimism, his passion for the outdoors and adventure, and mentoring them on the importance of working hard, playing hard and being the best human that you could be - one day at a time. Those were proud and happy moments.

Dave had other families too. He was so proud of his Ironworker Local 416 Brotherhood. Dave was somehow magically born with the physical and mental toughness to do this kind of work. He started his career as a permit hand and worked his way up the Union ranks to Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman and Superintendent. Dave had his hand in building some of the largest infrastructure and commercial construction projects in Southern California. We experience the work of Dave and his Union Brothers in the many roads and bridges we drive over today and signature buildings that frame our skylines. Dave garnered the admiration and respect of all those he worked with (well, mostly all :) He was passionate about his job and in helping other Brothers to be better Ironworkers and men. Dave loved being a mentor, teaching, sharing wisdom - or giving a good dressing down and swift kick in the ass, if that’s what you needed. He was always there when another Brother needed him, on or off the Iron Pile. Dave loved his job and his Union Brothers, many who are best buddies today.

In 2018, health challenges prompted Dave to take an early retirement. After decades of getting up at 3 am for work, he wondered, “What will I do with all my time?” Dave had always been a big fan of Bruce Lee and he had an interest in the Martial Arts, so he decided to take up the practice of Wing Chun Kung Fu. At this time, he was also introduced to the practice of Qigong. Dave loved these practices. They grounded him, brought him peace, and a new and different kind of strength. If you passed by Pines Park near our home in Capo Beach, on any given Saturday morning, you would often see Dave and friends practicing the poetic dance of Qigong. This was the beginning of a change in the trajectory of Dave’s spiritual journey.

In December of 2020, Dave and Barbara were devastated with the news that Dave had Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. Searching for hope and meaning, Dave asked his Qigong Sifu (Chinese for teacher) for advice on how to prepare for what would be ‘the fight of his lifetime’. Sifu Adil, gave him a card that read ‘Nam Myoho Renge Kyo’ on it. He told Dave to chant this day and night and to pray for courage, strength and healing which would unlock his highest potential to battle his cancer. With nothing left to lose, Dave started to chant and pray in earnest day and night. This introduction to Buddhism changed his life and Dave became an active member in his SGI Buddha community - adding yet another new family to his life. Dave found peace and solice in the teachings of the Eastern philosophy. He was particularly drawn to the eternal optimism and service to others that was a foundation of the Buddhist faith.

Dave met his cancer head on, with optimism, a smile, bright eyes and a big heart. He was never intimidated by the ever increasing progression that his cancer put on him. Dave endeared himself to his entire care team (which was large). Even when he wasn’t feeling good, in pain and battling the harsh side effects of treatment, they would ask “how are you feeling today, Dave”, and most days he would muster up a smile and say “I feel good!” His care team loved him and Dave loved them back.

Dave and Barbara are so immensely grateful for the amazing team of doctors, nurses, surgeons, specialists, infusion staff, home health and hospice nurses, therapists and volunteers who cared for Dave. You all did such difficult work and you did it with so much tenderness.

To our family and friends who walked beside us from near and from far, each and every day during this long and painful journey, we love you! Your love, support, prayers, texts, shoulders to cry on and phones to yell into made this journey a little bit easier. There are absolutely no words to describe our deep appreciation and love for you all!

Dave’s life was a testament to love, dedication, loyalty and the beauty of the human spirit. He was a man of immense generosity and compassion, known for his unwavering dedication to his family and friends. Dave had the unique ability to make everyone feel valued and loved. Whether you were a lifelong friend or a stranger in need, Dave would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. Dave’s legacy of kindness will continue to inspire all of us who knew him. Dave was a man who truly lived and appreciated every moment.

So, today we cry and we are a little less whole with the void that Dave left behind. But, we smile tomorrow and every day forward, when we remember the life Dave lived and the legacy he leaves in his absence.

Thank you for loving us and the privilege of loving you back, Dave. Our lives are better, richer and fuller for having known you. We will look for you and feel you in a warm summer breeze, in the smell of a pine forest, in the distant sound of a train horn, in the vast sky of nighttime stars and mostly deep, deep in our hearts.

Your memory will continue to light our paths and will remind us to cherish each moment and to be kind and care for one another.

You are profoundly missed, forever loved and remembered.

Cheers to you, our sweet Dave!

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