Dave George Stolze; 1943 – 2010 | 25/02/2010
Today Wintergreen Ski Patrol lost one of their own. David Stolze suffered a cardiac arrest while skiing at Big Sky, Montana. Dave was skiing with Ed Pouncey and Nici Singletary on a beautiful, gladed run in fresh powder when he collapsed.
Dave died doing what he loved to do, in a place that he loved, and with the people he loved. He is already sorely missed. The above photos (courtesy of Nici Singletary) are of Dave while on his trip to Big Sky, Montana.
Dave, along with the rest of your friends on the hill, Measi and I will miss your smiling face!
RIP!
Sepp
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- cross with lone peak in the background
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- Dave @ Foxfield
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- Dave’s Cross
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- Dave’s last run
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- Dave and the girls
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- Dedication Plaque Given To Patrol in Honor of Dave
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
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- Dave’s Memorial Service at Wintergreen 3/6/10
Thank you Sepp!
Thank you Sepp. He will defintely be missed. He was a great guy and a wonderful friend to everyone.
Yesterday we saw Dave on the slopes with a smile on his face from ear to ear right after skiing down Rice Bowl. That is how we will remember him. He was such a nice guy and we will miss him in Big Sky.
As I morn the loss of a member of our WTG family, I am comforted in knowing Dave was with the ones he loved; doing what he loved. What a great way to go! The days ahead will be dificult; let’s pull together a support each other.
Nick you’re so right, to have powder under his skis, trees and blue sky, and be with his best friends is a blessing.
It won’t be the same without him.
The cursor keeps blinking. I can’t find the words to express the deep sorrow. His loving gentle spirit, big smile and hearty hug will last an eternity. Keep on making those turns, brother. We’ll catch up one day.
Dave always had a smile, always could count on him to help where ever needed. He had a positive energy that radiated to everyone around him. He will be missed. My prayers for strength and understanding go to Ed and Nici who were with him last.
Dave was always nice and friendly and easy to get along with. We will miss him tons.
Calling all patrollers – come up tomorrow for the double cross race – we’ll have a chance to honor Dave. This is not the formal thing we will want to do before the season ends, but it will be a way we can honor him. See you on the hill tomorrow
As one of the “Three Amigo’s” my heart is saddened with your loss. Keep making turns through the clouds my friend, we will be there one day by your side.
At the end of the day, no matter how busy, Dave would always find the time to say “Thanks for your help”.
He was a kind, professional, caring, man that epitomized the Wintergreen Ski Patrol and will truly be missed.
I think, like most people, when I think of Dave, I think of his smile. He was a loyal friend. His friendship will be greatly missed by Keith and I. Semper Fi.
I will miss Dave so much – especially his warm smile and even warmer bear hugs!
What a great man, I cant imagine Saturday nights at the Edge without him. May the snow be perpetually deep and turns pure, save some freshies up there for me…R.I.P. Brother!
As Kathy said it is hard to express the sorrow and empty spot from his absence. His twinkling smile with his big sincere hugs leave happy memories. At least he was doing what he loved with those he loved. Bet he is making the most beautiful turns now…
Time here is such a fleeting thing… yet within this all too brief interval, there are those that make it oh so very special. Friendship and loyalty beyond measure combined with boundless enthusiasm is how I’ll remember you.
You will be missed more than mere words can tell.
Until next we pair synchro-ski, keep scouting out those secret stashes and perfect lines…….I’ll be looking for you by and by.
Someone told me the following, “the greatest achievement in life is to be remembered favorably when your gone”. Without an doubt, Dave will always be in that “favorable” category.
Dave your stately presence and expression of twinkled eyes with a broad grin will be missed in our lives, but not forgotten……
I will always remember Dave’s smile and laughter. A true loss to our patrol. I am so thankful that he was with friends doing what he loved to do. His infectious smile and laughter will be in my memories forever.
Dave, we all love you, we will miss you, and we look forward to carving turns again with you one day in heaven.
I could always count on Dave to have a smile on his face, a joke on his tongue and a bear-like hug to share with those around him. I always liked patrolling with him. I know he thoroughly enjoyed his ski trips out West, and I am glad he was carving turns on the slopes during his final moments. i can’t think of a better way to die. I will miss him.
Never forgotten will be the smile, laughter, and yes, those great bear hugs. Love you Dave!
A special thank you to Ed, John, and Nici for being the best friend most people couldn’t even dream about.
Well… I didn’t know Dave as well as most of you but I know Ed and Dave together since most of the time I see one I see the other. Like you all expressed, Dave was in the element that he loved most with his best friends. May he rest.
I was given access to this site and it is greatly appreciated. Thank you Ed and Nici. In reading your comments, we are very comforted to know that Uncle David was surrounded by individuals that obviously know him well and loved him deeply.
I said it before and I will say it again. In this life we have the family we are born into, which in our case has grown to be quite large, and then we have the family we create out of individuals that we meet over the course of our adult lives that we have shared experiences with or those that come into our lives and we find that we have shared values and interests. We just plain like them! It is apparent to us that Uncle David was blessed in both areas of his life and all of you are members of that family he created. We feel strongly in acknowledging that fact. Thank you for loving David and allowing him to love you.
We will keep you informed of all plans as to the celebration of his life. We look forward to the honor of meeting each and everyone of you and sharing. Stay well, know he is happy, and be happy for him. There is no better way to go than to go when you are doing what you love best with the added gift of doing it with friends you love. Again, thank you for giving him that joy.
Sincerely,
Elaine
Dave, you said so many times to me that if you could pick the moment to leave this life, it would be making first tracks in fresh powder chased by 25 Swedish women! You got the first part right, and Dave, I hope the Swedish women were waiting for you on the other side! Ski fast and often until we meet again! I will always miss you!
We considered David part of our family and we thoroughly enjoyed his company in the condo. He will be sorely missed.. The “Flying Davido” will be fondly remembered.
When I go, I want to go your way Dave. I am sad for your loss to your friends and family, and joyed by your spirit found in your last tracks in the snow.
David has been a part of the Monaghan Family since as long as I can remember in beginning in Germany. We love him and will miss him everyday. It will be tough not see his contagious smile each weekend but we will always keep that memory in our hearts. Love you Dave!
I will never forget the wonderful times we had together both on and off the slopes. Dave, you were truly one of the Wintergreen Ski Patrol’s A team and Sue and I both miss you so much. Adios ,my friend ,we will toast you here and meet again someday.
R I P – Dave… you will be fondly remembered.
Here’s something that John sent out by email several months ago to several people, and that Dave replied he would like to adopt for the next 20 years or so:
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well
preserved body — but rather to skid in sideways,
chocolate in one hand, 12 year old single malt Scotch
in the other, body thoroughly used up and worn out
— while screaming “Yahoo, what a ride!”
Dave truly adopted this little “ditty”! At a time of loss, it is important to remember not what you’ve loss, but what you’ve gained. We all gained from David friendship and attitude. We should honor him by extending to others that same, contagious smile, that same sense of joy on skis, and that same helpful, friendly and caring approach in our daily lives.
I very much enjoyed working with Dave as instructors for Honeywell / HFS I / Wang / API in the 90′s. Dave was very good at what he did, and took great pride in doing a good job. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by many.
Never got to ski with him (always hoped to) but enjoyed trading ski stories with him. I had the honor of meeting Dave as one of his many students and many years later as a working colleague. He was a solid instructor with a great delivery method on which I did my best to emulate. He has many students all over the world that will remember him fondly and miss him greatly. Semper Fidelis.
I worked for six years with Dave in the Foreign Service, his cube was next to mine (2000-2006). I remember Dave for always wearing cowboy boots, even in a suit! Dave was a Marine and one year I had him as the guest speaker for the Marines Birthday celebration because he was the oldest Marine present. Lastly Dave was a professional who gave 100% at all times. I will miss you my brother,
SEMPER FI
We will miss Dave. Just remember you are in charge of your own health. Please take care of what you are given in this life.