Frank Prosser.   A Swansea buddy.
Hoppy and I often joked about our very first meeting as my ” proper job ” Plymouthian and his broad Lancastrian caused both of us to respond: ” What?” after pretty much every sentence the other said. In spite of this language barrier and stuttering start Dave soon became one of the best friends I've ever had. He had a knack of making you feel totally at ease in his company. Always positive, a great sense of humour and with a contagious laugh. A little blunt,occasionally, perhaps, but always good at getting to the crux of things with an eagle eye for ”bullshit” and having no intention of letting it distract him. A man of principles in many ways. Unselfish, also springs to mind when I think of Hoppy. We did have a share and share alike approach in those days and he made me realise the true meaning of having someone who would always have my back if needs be. Dave's skillfull footballing abilities also deserve a mention as I clearly recall the feeling of relief seeing he was there at left back with his calm, composed presence, ability to predict and be constructive whenever there was a danger down his side of the pitch.
We did lose touch during the hectic years of family and child raising but,fortunately, have managed to reunite, and immediately rebond, several times since, Particularly, a brilliant long weekend in Devon last October together with other friends from our Swansea tribe. It was always a pleasure to note Dave's patent love for his family, his pride in his teaching career and his affection for the pupils and school he was attached to for so many years. It was also obvious during what has, sadly, turned out to be our final meeting that Dave still had an appetite for and was full of life. A consoling memory despite the unfair and unjust way he was so abruptly taken from us.
                  Long may his memory live on.
                     Miss you buddy.

Further, our whole group sends heartfelt condolences. Dave has been an essential part of us since we all lived in Neuadd Lewis Jones hall of residence in Swansea in 1970. There's suddenly a huge empty space in any future gatherings we'll hold but there's no way we'll ever forget the gem that once occupied it. No one to query what we often would otherwise regard as self evident truths, no one to ground us nearly as effectively when our imaginations might run away with us and no one quite as good at keeping tabs on whose round it is next.
Here's looking at you, Dave, from:
                Judy Fearn
                Jules Rilstone
                Pete Langley
                Dave Bird
                Rich Speller and Frank Prosser