Colleague and friend
Dave was the best co-worker and friend that anyone could imagine. In memoriam, I’ve just made my own extensive list of contributions that he made to my professional and personal life. The highlights include many innovative ideas that the two of us implemented that streamline my job as Troy Tech Coordinator such as online registration, scantron grading, website development, etc. Dave was instrumental as Computer Science Department Chair in initially ranking Troy High School’s AP Computer Science courses among the top in the world according to the College Board. He was brilliant, yet humble which makes for an ideal colleague to brainstorm with because he had no personal agenda AND he was available via email 24/7. Some of my favorite moments with Dave were spent discussing inefficiencies and then designing an improvement. On a personal level, Dave was not just a hard worker, but a fun and witty friend. My husband and I enjoyed spending time with him, Jody, Kaylin, and Darren. He was a devoted dad, avid mountain biker, and connoisseur of Asian cuisine; we enjoyed many delicious meals with the family. As a past student of Dave’s mentioned, I have no doubt that he will “live on through each of us” because my day-to-day job at Troy has Dave’s thumbprint all over it.
In memory today, my family went to a restaurant that we had enjoyed with Dave’s family in the past. The dinner that we shared there included lots of noise from toddler Darren, but also lots of tasty seafood AND conversation.
And to David Poll, thank you for putting this forum together. I know Dave’s death is a deeply personal loss for you, yet you’ve had the strength to make this site; it is exactly the type of thing that Dave would have done for any of us were the circumstances in reverse. In my mind it is no coincidence that you share the same name – you truly are a young Dave Wittry and I have no doubt that your future pursuits will make him proud. Laurie Downum, Troy Tech Coordinator