Karen Keech (Swerling)

 Miss you so much, my friend 

Mel Mould

Dave was such a solid guy. We were on the track team together, and he was always dedicated to doing the best workout possible and giving it all his best effort. It was always good to see him at reunions. 

David Stott

So sorry to hear this ...I use to bowl in a junior leage w / Dave at plaza lanes ,,,  He was a great guy and a good bowler !!  god bless 

Karen Keech (Swerling)

I already posted something about Dave’s passing, but I kept it very simple as his death hurt me very much.  Dave was my best friend in high school.  He was my walking partner.  He was my art partner.  We ate lunch together, we went to senior events and graduation together.  We were both dating someone else but we always double dated.  When I got married to my high school sweetheart, Dave was a member of the wedding party.  

Dave married a beautiful young lady, Julie Lemon.  They lived in an adorable little apartment near Russell’s Hamburgers and I loved visiting them.  Then they moved into a cute little house in Lakewood that Julie had grown up in.  Years later they moved to their dream house in Mission Viejo.  

Dave and Julie would come to the high school reunions mostly because I talked them into it.  What would a reunion be without my best friend?  At the 10th, I was with my first husband.  At the 20th, I was with my fiancé of the moment, a criminologist who I met through Gordon Lightfoot (long story). At the 30th (and 40th), I was with my second and forever husband, Jerry Swerling.  Dave never judged or asked any questions. He was that kind of friend.  Accepting. 

Dave saw me go through a lot of bad things but he was always there for me. At an extremely bad moment in my life, Dave called and said, “Karen, I don’t know what to say.”  “Dave,” I replied, “You just said it.  You called.”

I always tell that story when people don’t know what to say in a bad moment.  Just be there, I tell them.  Like Dave Goforth. 

I miss you dear friend.  I don’t know what to say.  

Howard Higgins

That's a very warm and lovely memory Karen.

Dave was lucky to have such a friend as you.

Bonnie MacEvoy

Thank you, Karen.  Truly heartfelt and brought tears to my eyes.  Clearly to yours, too.

Ginny Ward (Lindquist)

Thank you Karen! Dave would love your words, . . . As a matter of fact, I think he put them there. So much heart.

Michele Hinckley (Montgomery)

What a beautiful tribute, Karen.  I did not know David well but saw him often on campus and heard about him running track.  Thank you for sharing such heartfelt words, and am so sorry for your loss of such a special friend.

Karen Keech (Swerling)

I tried to keep my message short but I have so many great memories of Dave, I could probably write a book.  But, I do want to add, for all of you who remember him as a runner, that he continued to run after high school.  He even participated in the Boston Marathon, four times, I believe.  Ron Pryor can correct me on this.  Anyway, we knew he had kidney cancer but he still had big goals.  Disney cruise with his kids and grandkids, weddings, babies on the way AND just one more Boston marathon.  

We talked at length one afternoon about his condition and his desire to do the marathon.  In the end, he had to do the marathon, of course.  But, the following year, he said he just didn’t think he could make it.  He was so sad.  And that was the year of the bombings!  I was so glad that he didn’t go and I called him immediately.  He was so upset.  His favorite event had been attacked.  But,what Dave really cared about was his fellow runners.

Also, I mentioned all of the places where he lived.  My husband Jerry and I moved to Malibu around the time of his diagnosis.  Dave wanted so badly to come see our home at the top of the Santa Monica Mountains but his health kept him back.  He would always call and ask how we were and promise that he would come see us in our new home.  My father died on July 4th, and very Dave-like, he called to regret that he couldn’t make it to my dad’s funeral.  I told him to keep well, that was so important.  He said, I promise, I’ll come see you guys as soon as I get over this hurdle.  Dave always thought of others first.  Never of himself. 

He died soon after that conversation.  He left far too soon.