Dave was irreverent, funny, constantly talking ... And truly a guy who cared about others.
Ironically, the last time I saw him was just a few months ago at the funeral of another good friend, Terry Tomalin, also a great media personality who died too young.
Lots of funny stories I could tell. But the one I always remember was one that he used to love to tell over and over.
Dave's real name is Steve Ehmke. When I was at All Children's Hospital, he was a regular donor to our Telethon. I sent him many thank you letters over the years but one year he called me: "Hey ... How long have we been friends?"
"I dunno ... 10 years?" I said.
"So what's with this letter you just sent me 'Dear Mr. Ehmke ... Thank you for your recent donation ...'"
"Did I misspell your real name?"
"No ... But you could've said dear Steve or Dave or F***head or something more personal."
"I missed it ... Okay next time I'll just call you F***head."
"Yeah ... and you'll be F***head 2."
Actually, that became our respective names from that day on. Whenever we were out or when I called him or he called me we would address each other appropriately. Which leads me to my fav story ...
One day I left him a message at the station. "Hey F***head. Wanna get together tonight to play music?"
(That message would make history later that morning when he was on the air.)
Dave (on air) "So today, Garth Brools left me a voicemail about his upcoming concert. Let me play it for you, Randy (his on air partner at the time)."
He reached over and pressed the button.
"Hey F*** HEAD ..."
CLICK ...
He quickly cut it off. "Um ... Randy you didn't hear anything did you?"
Randy "Nope ... Not a thing."
The calls rolled in as he told listeners he mistakenly played a message from ME (thanks Dave).
I think that was the first time that particular word was played on commercial radio.
Of course times have changed.
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