I feel like I didn't know Dave Coleman well enough, but a few weeks ago I had a really bad feeling. See I love Facebook in that I can see people's photos of amazing life events when I am depressed. A couple of weeks ago I realized Dave had not been posting anything on Facebook. For some reason I felt deeply saddened, so I messaged Tony Pounder on twitter to see what was going on with Dave. It turned out he was sick, but he was on the mend according to Sue. I was like oh that's awesome so soon he'll be posting some more pictures of his grandchildren and such on Facebook. Yesterday he had posted on Facebook stating that he had a neuroma, but he was getting better.
I woke up today and I was getting ready to head into the city to the BlueMetal Office, when I saw a post from Dan Usher that Dave had passed around 5 am this morning. I'm thinking this blows. He was on my top 10 list for UK people in the SharePoint Community. The two SPS UK events I attended were amazing, because I knew I would get to see him and Sue. Dave was always in good spirits and lifted me up.
I was speaking at SPC 2011 for the first and last time ever. We were chatting about the Doctor Who finale - the first half of the season was hugely about Amy Pond being pregnant and there was going to be a big reveal. Dave and I were trying to figure how we could see the finale while at SPC. One day during booth duty he came over and handed me a USB Drive and told me to let him know after I've watched it. It made my week really amazing. I will never forget his kindness.
I really wish I had taken the trip to the UK this year, but a lot of life events and other things happened to prevent it. I am really sorry I didn't get to see him one last time. I am really going to miss seeing him at SharePoint events. I hope that wherever you are Dave is a happier and more peaceful place.