Father of a Ferry Captain
Celebrates 81st Birthday Chistmas Day
By
Mary Swift-Swan
Dave has been a sailor since he
was 8 years old. His Dad made him a raft made of three rail ties and
his Mother made a square sail from a sheet. Using a paddle to steer,
he sailed brave and proud on the waters of the one-acre lake on the
family dairy farm in the San Joaquin Valley. Upwind was a bit
tricky.
He left the farm during World War
II, becoming a B17-Bomber pilot for more than two years. After 38
missions over Germany, his plane was shot down. Commenting on the 15
months he spent in a German prisoner of war camp, Dave said,
"Met a number of real nice fellows there." I had to wonder
if a fellow named "Hogan" was among them.
After the war, Dave married
Barbara, a neighbor’s daughter, and his dear bride of 56 years.
During his 26-year career teaching shop at Peter Burnett Middle
School in San Jose, Dave and Barbara raised a family. They sailed
San Francisco Bay and became proudly known as a family that sailed
well together. Dave and Barbara’s sons share their love of the
water; Fred is now a fishing boat captain and Greg joined the Golden
Gate’s fine group of captains in 1998. A grandson also carries on
Dave’s passion for boats; he skippers a 70’ yacht and owns an
Express 27’ sailboat.
Dave and Barbara’s back door
looks out across the Alameda townhouse waterway and Marina Village
where Dave can see his boat. "PAX" is a well-kept Cal 227.
They also keep a few radio-controlled lasers for battles among
family and friends in afternoon races on the Marina Village
townhouse waterways. "Keeps the reflexes up," he says.
Perhaps it’s true when they say, "Days spent messing around
on boats are not deducted from one’s life." This
legend-of-the-Bay is a fine gentleman-of-the-sea who proves it could
be true. If you’re on the water during the week, you may see Dave
sailing with a friend or single-handedly. If you see "PAX"
out on the water this December, wave and yell "Happy Birthday,
Dave!"
