In Memory of Dave Blumenthal

I only recently discovered Daves blog in the lead up to the TD and was captivated by his fervour for life and dreams for the future. I only saw small part of Dave on his blog but he will be missed none the less. My thoughts are with his family and I am sorry for their loss.
Best regards,
Ross

Everyone at the Outdoorsman was stunned and deeply saddened in hearing the news of Dave's passing this afternoon from his injuries. All of us on the staff send our sincere condolenceses to Dave's family.
Rob and Jon remember him coming into the shop on Wed the 16th just shivering uncontrollably. They guys remember Dave saying he had never been so cold in his life. He had ridden in from Helena that morning in blowing snow at elevation. Jon and Rob remember the first thing he wanted to do at the shop was to call home. And, that's what he did. Then, as he was warming up, ate several waffles and a big pizza before heading off to Wise River and beyond. We all have continuued to follow all of the racers we met here at the shop and to us they are like family. Dave's no exception. Dave's death is tragic, and we're at a loss to describe how his passing affects our wider cycling community! As cyclists ourselves we know Dave died doing what he loved.
In memory of Dave. God speed!

So sorry to hear about Dave. I did not know him, but his blog and Tour Divide call-ins hint at what a great person he was. I love to ride long and hard, just like Dave. I also have a wonderful wife and daughter at home, just like Dave. My thoughts and love go out to his family... Thank you for everything, Dave.

Not long ago, Dave came through our shop here in Butte, The Outdoorsman. I feel compelled to share this one memory I have of him in light of the recent tragedy. It was a cold, rainy morning right after a long descent into town. He was shivering, hungry, and dirty. We got his bike all fixed and cleaned up while he put down a couple waffles and a large pizza. As soon as he could calm his hands enough to hold our phone, he asked to call home. It was our pleasure, as with all the racers, to lend a hand, a wrench, and some floor space. He was always pleasant despite his condition and very appreciative. After sharing some stories, he was back in racing form, and we sent him out the door.
Dave carried himself in a way the GDMBR, his family, and friends should be very proud of. In fact, he shared how proud of himself he was at his accomplishment of being 4th at that point in the race, as a rookie. I am glad to have met him, if for only a little while. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave and his family, as well as the rest of the TD racers.

I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Dave's family and friends. I did not know Dave, but my son rode the TD last year and so I feel a connection to this race and a sadness over this tragic loss. I will keep Dave and his family and friends in my prayers. May you be comforted by your good memories of Dave at this time of grieving. I am so sorry.

Lexi,

I am so, so, sad to hear of Dave's passing.

Jeff Tomassetti
Fernandina Beach, Fl
ajtomassetti@comcast.net

Our family was following the race each day as our son started in the race. Dave gave great descriptions of the conditions and some of the unusual elements of the race. Our heart is thinking of both his wife and daughter. Bike racing produces wonderful people and Dave was one of those people.

Words can not express the loss Dave's "extended family" feels. Though many of us have never met him, his enthusiasm for the ride, race and life could be seen in his pictures, read in his blog and heard in his calls. He will be missed but remembered. We take comfort in knowing he is sure to be enjoying the scenery of an eternal adventure.

The Christensen Family (Shawn Sheppard's in laws)

Dave was actually the first blogger to pick up and comment on my entry into TD2010, so I discovered his blog and incredible spirit only a few months ago. I subsequently was unable to make TD2010 due to an ongoing injury and I lived vicariously through Dave's call-ins each night before I went to bed. Dave's positive energy and excellent commentary on the race gave me something great to fall to sleep to each night. I'll add not getting to meet Dave in person to my list of regrets for not being able to toe the line this year.

My sincerest condolences and best wishes for his friends and family. I'm very sorry for your loss and the world is surely a lesser place without Dave here with us.

I didn't have a chance to meet Dave at the Outdoorsman in Butte Mt. Although as with most of the rest of the tour divide racers I am sure he was an exceptional human, with a great drive when my pals and I ride the tour divide in the future we will dedicate our trip to you and your family may god be with you always. My deepest sympathy. Dave you are super human.

Even though I did not meet Dave, I feel the loss of a man of great love, joy, compassion and generosity. I feel acutely aware that terrible accidents happen to the most worthy people.

Dave wrote, in his last blog entry:
"I also tried my best to be there for Linnaea, soon to be 4. She will miss me in ways an adult cannot truly appreciate, and I hope that our love will not be weakened by my absence. I hope that local friends will come to play, visit, and support Lexi and Linnaea while I’m gone, so that their time without me is happy and fulfilling."

Dave's own words are perfectly eloquent and compelling. Although I can't be there to play, visit, and support Lexi and Linnaea, I will try to honor Dave's legacy by being especially kind and generous to my family, friends, and neighbors.

Amy Lauterbach, Palo Alto

I had a close encounter with a truck this past weekend on forest service road and all i could think about just after was my 4-year-old daughter.

I never pray but am praying now for Dave's family. My heart and tears go out to his daughter.

-Casey Greene
Cartographer
Adventure Cycling Association

...in my son's life.
When Sam wanted to hike the Long Trail at age 14 and I balked, we ran into Dave who enthusiastically supported the idea. (So did Lexi - thank you!) Because of that meeting, I have agreed to let Sam hike it this summer.
We saw Dave recently at a Long Trail end to enders workshop and he was similarly enthused. What a guy to inspire so quickly, so forcefully. I still have his business card that he gave on the QT that I could call him with any questions, or if Sam had a problem on the trail.
Lexi, my heart aches for you. Truly, truly aches. I am so very sorry. No words are adequate.

- Sarah Strohmeyer

Shock and grief. Dave was amazing, a beautiful man, and the Green Mountain Club has lost one of the most gifted, generous, multi-talented superpeople ever to set foot on the Long Trail.

Dave was a GMC board member, along with his wife Lexi Shear he founded the Montpelier Section’s Young Adventurer’s Club, he served on various committees. He was the project manager for A Century in the Mountains, our centennial coffee table book. He was the artist who created the Long Trail poster. The watercolor images he painted during his end-to-end hike are the division headers in the Long Trail Guide. He was the creator of the beautiful relief map table in GMC's visitor center in Waterbury Center, Vermont. He edited the maps for recent editions of the Long Trail Guide. He designed the Traveling Displays which will be on display at libraries throughout the State of Vermont during the coming year as part of the Long Trail’s centennial… the list of Dave Blumenthal projects goes on… in a nutshell, he was a renaissance man. We have lost somebody who cannot be replaced. --Ben

Even though I never met Dave in person, as a member of the GDMBR community I wish to convey my deepest sympathies. He was a very great man, and his loss will not be forgotten.
God's Peace!

In the last 24 hours I haven't gone more than a few minutes without thinking of Dave-- I even dreamt about Dave, Lexi, and Linnea. Now for the last 4 hours Liza and I have been full of tears, sharing memories, a general sense of disbelief, as well as a range of other painful emotions going out to all three... Someone used the term "super-human" in a previous post... and it's no coincidence that "super-human" is exactly the term I have used many times to describe Dave to people who do not know him. It is that quality that makes it so hard to comprehend that he is no longer with us... super-human implies a kind of immortality. I had the opportunity to ride with Dave on a 24 hour team event earlier this spring. Although the rules of the game (a fleche, for those of you familiar with randonneur events) dictate that the team stay together, it was clear from the start that Dave had the ability to ride away from us all if he was free of these constraints. He possessed a rare natural strength which, combined with his height and ability to consume unbelievable quantities of food, really did give the impression that this guy was of another breed. But what is most remarkable was that he never showed any kind of competitive edge... he was out there to enjoy himself and it didn't seem to bother him in the least that he could have finished hours ahead of us if only he was allowed to. (His performance in this year's Tour Divide was proof of his super-human strength.) Furthermore, our team was saved by the fact that Dave was so organized and prepared that when our cue sheets failed us, his GPS saved us time and again. On June 9th., when he came by the bakery to meet David Tremblay on their way to the airport to fly to the start of Tour Divide, Dave showed me his pages of laminated cue sheets and maps which marked every water source and brew pub on the Tour Divide route. The guy was the epitome of good preparation. Again, how could things go wrong for a guy with such immense mental and physical abilities? I have been checking in a few times daily with his progress and up until yesterday it had been nothing short of incredible-- not only in his place in field but in his almost daily upbeat call-ins. This was one of those rare people who was a true contender at a high level but was really doing it all because he absolutely loved it. I only knew Dave a little bit outside of the world of cycling, but he was a regular customer at our bakery... usually arriving by bike with Linnea in tow (literally) where he would sit by the window and teach her about bread baking and read stories to her. He was also a regular fixture at our local farmers' market, where I don't think I ever saw him in street clothes. He would stop just long enough to eat one pastry and pack another for the road while telling us where he was headed. The guy just loved life. This makes the fact that life has been taken from him all the more tragic and incomprehensible. He has been an inspiration to so many... Tonight I'm raising a glass to Dave, and extending all my love and condolences to his wonderful wife Lexi and sweet, sweet daughter Linnea (I have a four year old daughter too, so this part hits especially hard). A great adventurer, husband and father has been lost. --Randy George
Here's a photo that Liza took at the finish of the aforementioned fleche (he's the super-human one at the left if you can't tell):
http://picasaweb.google.com/RidingRandy/Fleche2010#

Dear Lexi and Linnaea,
We recently returned from a trip to Breckenridge with Ian, Deb and the children. We were spending quality time together and enjoying each others company. The daily "big excitement" through the week of our vacation was watching Dave's progress in the race. Every time we entered the apartment the family ran to the computer to check on how Dave was doing. I think we tuned in about every hour. There were discussions about how steep the terrain was and if it were possible for him to reach his goal for that day. We checked weather forecasts and maps. Each night we wouldn't go to bed until we heard his call. We all were passionately engaged in his daily adventures.

Hearing the news of the accident today was devastating. It is so hard to accept that such a vibrant, determined, sweet and talented human being is gone.
Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. We know that you are loved by so many people and we hope that this love will give you strength through this very difficult time.

Sandi & Charles Brown

I've never felt a profound loss of a near stranger until Dave. I met Dave for 15 minutes at the Subway in Island Park, ID after spotting his bike (and Eric Nelson's) in front. I wanted to take the pictures of the riders for the TD. Dave was immediately enthusiastic about the prospect and talked for the next 15 minutes about the Tour and his vast food consumption. "I just downed two foot-long subs and have room to spare." He was a person you gravitated to by the shear energy he gave off and the excitement of his quest to conquer the Tour. He was very proud of his position in the race at the time since he pointed out he and Eric were the front-runners of the rookies in the race. I asked him what he did for a living that allowed him to take off a month. He humbly mentioned he was self-employed. His blog and the other comments of his friends demonstrate he was a uniquely gifted man who could master anything to which he set his mind. He had so many skills it would have been difficult and too time-consuming to answer the question any other way. Dave was taken too early in life. He was special. To his wife and family, I'm very sorry for your loss. Todd Ison

I am not a mountain biker, but have known Dave for several years as a fellow resident of his hometown in Montpelier, Vermont. My friend Becka and I are on a trip in Denmark and the distance and not being able to share our grief with our fellow Montpelierites and Daves friends is rough. I especially feel for Lexi and all of Daves family and friends who will miss him and his fantastic attitude towrads life. I can only find some comfort in the thought that Dave died doing something he passionatly loved to do. He will be terribly missed. Thanks to all of you for your kind words. Knowing that Dave touched so many is also a comfort.

My earliest memory of Dave is of him painting trim (Dave and Lexi transformed a house in our neighborhood into a work of art). It was a summer evening and he was out there in the dark, on a ladder or the roof of the porch, with a paint can in hand, wearing a headlamp. As I walked by with my dog I thought "What a neat guy." But the memory that will stay with me is of him coming around the corner in front of our house - many times over - on his bike, either headed out on a ride or coming home from one. Sometimes Lexi was with him or Linnaea was in the trailer. This is the vision I keep seeing. For me, Dave will inspire a deeper commitment to the Long Trail and GMC. As fellow thru-hikers and constant users of the trail, we have already adopted a shelter and will look for many other ways to give back in Dave's legacy. I can't make sense of this; as Kip said in an earlier post, you shudder to think what difference a second would have made either way. And you grapple with the unfairness of never being able to know what lies ahead; life doesn't tell you when will be the last time you speak with someone, or see them, or hear their voice. My heart is broken for Lexi and Linnaea; the whole neighborhood and community at large will be here for you.

but all of this love from friends and admirers tells me I would have enjoyed meeting you. My thoughts and tears go out to your family.

My thoughts and prayers to Dave's family and friends. I'm so sorry for your tragic loss.

I have had the pleasure of serving on the board of the Green Mountain Club with Dave Blumenthal for several years. His accomplishments were many, his intelligence was great, and his love for the outdoors was boundless. Dave was a valued member of the club and an asset to the board. He will be deeply missed.

My fondest memory of Dave was a hike that we took with our daughters last year in Stowe's Wissner Woods at GMC annual meeting. Even though Dave was larger than life, a conqueror of mountains, a long distance hiker, endurance athlete, etc., here we were on a hike with three preschool aged little girls, walking at a snail's pace, stopping often to admire the flora and fauna. We admired a fairy house along the trail and made up silly stories about the imaginary occupants of the mossy glen in which it was located. We stopped to admire newts that had made their way into the footpath. We may have walked a total of one mile that day, which took over an hour; surely a fraction of the pace that Dave would usually follow. But we had the best time, and the girls enjoyed themselves immensely.

Dave's many accomplishments were inspiring to the adults in his life, but his genuine passion for nature and the mountains did not limit itself to adrenaline-fueled peak-bagging adventures. Dave was also an inspiration to children; indeed, he founded a group that promoted hiking for the small set. Dave loved his daughter and wanted to share his love of the mountains and hiking with her and other kids. As the father of three girls, the youngest being about the same age as Linnea, I am devastated by this news and my heart goes out to Lexi and Linnea during this tragic time.

R.I.P. Dave, you will be forever missed here in the Green Mountains.

Richard Windish
Reading, Vermont

Dear Lexi and Linnaea,
Porter and I are heartbroken that Dave passed away after his accident. We cherish our memories of Wildflower and Packman on our hike of the Pacific Crest Trail--especially at Kennedy Meadows before we all headed into the High Sierra. We'll keep you in our hearts and deepest meditations, always.
Love, Gail and Porter Storey

I had the opportunity to experience the essence of Dave at the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Long Trail during the weekend of May 21-23. I went up to Stowe area with my friend who is a member-at-large of the GMC. I had the time of my life eating, drinking and hiking with these wonderful people of the Club. I enjoyed Dave's slideshow presentation of his and Lexi's pub-crawl hike in Great Britain (where they "stealth camped" ;) to quote Dave). I did not get to meet him personally but I got a sense of him from his presentation and reading the Long Trail News and Green Mountain Club material. He seemed like a wonderful, generous, talented man and I can only imagine the great loss that his friends and companions feel and the devastation that Lexi and Linnaea are suffering. I cried myself and had not even met him personally. My heart goes out to you as well as my prayers. God bless.

I only met Dave a few times but felt that we shared so much: we hiked the same trails, called many of the same people friends, and held true the same values. Stories of his adventures fill my head just as his artwork fills my books and walls. He will always be in spirit larger than life. My deepest sympathies to Lexi and Linnaea.

May love surround you during this devastating time. Much love, much peace, much hope . . .

Dear Lexi,

Your Form of '89 hockey teammates are thinking of you at this time and are so sorry for your loss. Our sympathy goes out to you and your families and we are surrounding your net with prayer and love from afar.

Gracyn

Dave and Lexi have been like family to my sister and brother-in-law for the past 20 years. They live on opposite sides of the country, and both families have children (truly beautiful children). This is usually reason enough to let friendships slip away, or at least become phone and email friendships. But Dave and Lexi and Deb and Ian and Linnaea and Micah and Nina had become family to each other, and prioritized each other in that way.

They would see each other a couple of times a year, with most visits including some kind of camping trip. When Dave and Lexi (and later Linnaea) would come to San Francisco, we would spend Shabbat dinner together, cooking, eating, drinking, and enjoying the kids. Dave was often a curious and lovable set of contradictions to me. He was opinionated and quiet. He was humorous and serious. He was intense and peaceful. He was strong and gentle. I always looked forward to him coming to town.

I never spend a ton of time alone with Dave, so there was a limit to the way that I knew him personally. However, I became very fond of him for a couple of reasons. I really liked watching him and Lexi spend time together. There are some couples that you enjoy being around because you feel warmed by the love that they feel for each other. The looks Lexi and Dave exchanged, the rubs of the arm, the kind words, and shared humor was a pleasure to be around. They made you want to be in love.

I will always also be grateful for the friend he was to Deb and Ian. He loved them, and they loved him. And he was so fond and appreciative of them. Ian and he were buddies in the truest sense of the word. Watching them trade jokes and share stories was a true pleasure. And it always meant so much to me that my sister had these two friends that I knew would do absolutely anything for them. I am so thankful that they got to experience Dave's friendship for so long, and am heartbroken that it was taken away so suddenly. Dave will be with them for the rest of their lives, and they will be enriched for having loved him and been loved by him.

My thoughts and prayers and love go to all of Dave's family. I know your loss is immeasurable. You have countless people who are there for you now and in the future. That is one of the many legacies that Dave has left behind. Dave, wherever you are, it is important to know that your family will not be alone. The thought of never seeing Dave again is becoming very real as I type this, and it is very sad. I will miss him for who he is, and for the part of my family that he had become. Rest In Peace.

I came to know Dave through his wonderful talents as a 3-D designer and builder of exhibits for the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington. He was terrific to work with... always friendly, on-time, and incredibly creative in his solutions to displaying historic and fragile objects. And always fun to talk to about his outdoor adventures both solo and with his family. My deepest condolences to his family & friends. Dave will be missed.

Peace,
Nicole

A passion for excellence. A drive subdued by empathy always with a goal of quality. An interest in all and in everything. The world needs more like Dave. Not less. But for those who saw his admirable qualities, he confirmed the need to maintain them in our lives. And we will. So though he is gone, he lives on in our own passions for excellence. He would be glad to know that.

I sang this at Dave and Lexi's wedding, setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams, poem by Ursula Vaughan Williams:

Sleep

Sleep, and I'll be still as another sleeper
holding you in my arms,
glad that you lie so near at last.

This sheltering midnight is our meeting place,
no passion or despair or hope divide me from your side.

I shall remember firelight on your sleeping face,
I shall remember shadows growing deeper
as the fire fell to ashes and the minutes passed.

..........

I also sang the following, by Charles Ives (his poem):

Nature's Way

When the distant evening bell calmly breathes its blessing;
When the moonlight to the trees speaks in words caressing;
When the stars with radiance gaze towards the sleeping flowers,
then does nature bare her soul, giving strength to ours.

.........

Missing you Dave. Grief overflowing for Lexi, Linnaea, Dave's family and many friends.

Bailey

Our deepest condolences to the family of Dave. Me and my family only met him for a few short minutes at the Brush Mountain Lodge where we were staying. We were sitting around the campfire and he was getting ready to start his journey and my boys were asking him questions like "Why are you wearing a trashbag?" He was so good natured about it and I think might have even got a laugh out of it. He had seen some strawberries that Kirsten was growing and he told us there was strawberries at home in his yard that his daughter would be enjoying soon he spoke about her with a lot of love. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers.

The Campbell Family
Danielle, Nathan, Kyler, Cameron, & Carson

Riding across Montana with several friends I was thrilled to meet several Tour Divide racers as they came through Ovando, MT on June 14th. I appreciated Dave taking the time to talk to us and getting to take a picture of him and his bike. Now home in Arizona I was shocked to find out that he had lost his life.

May God comfort his family and friends.

Bill Findley

i remember meeting dave and linnea on top of camel's hump 3 years ago - i was working for the green mountain club as a caretaker and was so impressed with dave's enthusiasm. he carried linnea up in a backpack - up the bamforth ridge (the hardest, longest way up). we talked for a long time and i learned of his love of the outdoors, his involvement with the gmc and his obvious love for his daughter.
lexi and linnea, i don't know you but i am so incredibly sorry for your loss - words cannot express and i can only imagine what you all are going thru. you all, his friends, family, the gmc, and the world have lost such a bright, positive light. may you always feel his love and support and may your community hold you up thru this dark time. much peace, karen

As a parent who has lost a child, I know the pain you are feeling. My heart goes out to you both, Jennie and Ralph.
My sincere condolences,
Lois A. Morfit
Holmdel Township

Dear Lexi,

Our hearts at Pacem are aching for you and Linnaea. We're inspired by the amazing adventure that Dave was on! We send you our love.

Jaime

I never met Dave, or even heard his name mentioned before this tragedy. Yet here I am, late at night while my wife and kids sleep soundly, compelled to let his family and friends know that my heart is breaking thinking about their loss.

Words cannot express how deeply saddened I am at Dave's passing, despite having never had the pleasure of knowing him. I will pray for you tonight, Dave, God Bless.

Using warmshowers to plan a touring bike trip with my own daughter last night, I came across the tragic news of Dave’s accident. I knew Dave not as a cyclist, but as a hiker on the LT and as an artist. Indelible in my mind is our first meeting at the End-to-Enders workshop. His watercolors inspired me to backpack with colored pencils. I've admired his life, work, and family. My hope had been to meet you all on a child friendly hike in the years to come. I’ve yet to stop thinking of Dave, and Lexi and Linnaea. You will always be loved and remembered. My deepest sympathy, Millie “Early Bird” Mugica

Hey Dave. I enjoyed having a meal with you in Banff before the race and in Eureka, MT during the race. Man, could you put away some Mexican food!!!! You were a bright, passionate, deep thinker who I instantly liked, respected and wanted to be around. I sensed your interest in my life and know you enjoyed hearing about it. You proudly displayed your family photo and we talked of how we loved and missed our little kids back home. Talked of Nordic skiing and love of snow. We discussed the way we view life and what is "really" important in life. And damn could you go on the bike. You stayed ahead of me after that dinner in Eureka. I really wanted to catch up and ride with you some but never could. You were one who pursued your dreams and felt life is given to us to live to the fullest. The Tour Divide was yet another dream for you to catch and you were there living it. I didnt know how to react to your passing and you and your family were on my mind through it all. Like you, I was there to live a dream to Ride the Divide. The more I thought about it, the more confident I was that you would want me to push on to my dream. I think you would be disappointed in me if I didn't. Life goes on, the sun still comes up and you, I'm sure, are happy that I got to Antelope Wells. I can see that grin on your face. That is who you are and I will always remember the small amount of time we shared together within our dream, my brother of the Divide.

As so many of us do after graduation from high school, we all lose contact. But with such a small school we all knew each other growing up. I remember going to a birthday party for Dave at his house when we were 11 or 12, or playing basketball with he and a bunch of guys up at ( I think it was called) Phillips Park. Everyone knew everyone.
What a tragic loss for his family, wife and daughter...
I just found out and read his blog, his last post on there is truly remarkable given the circumstances.
May God bring some peace to his family in this tough time. Dave really made a name for himself and left one heck of a legacy for sure..
Brian