[Guest guest]

You know? I've really been thinking a lot about Dave's professional

contributions and " street time " . In the past 24 hours, I've talked to

many compadres that I've not spoken to in decades, and who were there

--- back then.

It makes me wonder (to his credit), what we'll accomplish in his

absence? Will be somehow become smarter? Or, wiser? Will we crawl out of

the pit that we've been in for the past 30+ years? I know that it was

his dream. Will it be ours?

Dave was a true street medic. He never asked for more than he was

entitled to - either for himself, or anyone else who worked in EMS. He

was a good man and an uncommon advocate for the betterment of

prehospital care in Texas.

As we bury him on Monday in Ft. Worth, I'm forced to consider my own

contributions - as we all should. What did we do that left Texas EMS in

a better condition that when we first found it? What is our legacy? For

Dave, it was quiet and underspoken, but the results are both measurable

and long-lived.

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the " Dinosaurs " who will usher Dave to

his final rest on Monday, this is a really difficult time. And, we're

right on top of it, too. Did we bring something to the party that made a

difference? Did we improve the quality of life for others? In the final

analysis, did we cultivate more friends than enemies? Did we advance the

science and profession?

In my opinion, succeeded in every arena. God bless him,

and may he rest in eternal remembrance and peace.

Bob Kellow