10-07-2020, 08:37 AM
David was the last surviving person in the room when Bruce Lee faced Wong Jackman except Linda, Bruce's widow, and she's biased. He delivered the challenge and was originally the person sent to face Bruce but it was changed to Wong since he and Bruce were both 23. I've heard David tell the tell several times - a few times in a very unguarded manner over late night libations. He could drink - so could his students - and so could I. All those years touring with the Dead gave me a very special set of skills in the martial world.
David owned a restaurant club in SF back during the summer of love. He was a foodie and could play mean congos, having jammed with Santana's band back in the day and had great stories of his experiences back then. We'd talk for hours and his stories of Chinatown in the 60s were fascinating. We bonded not only over Kung Fu, but also over music and SF. He knew the city during one of its most romantic periods and I can still see the gleam in his eyes when he spoke about the music scene. And man, he knew food. He came through Cali frequently because he still had friends and family here. We'd go to lunch at some hidden Chinese joint in my own neighborhood that he knew because he knew the chef's specialties. Once one was this hole in the wall a block from Ranch Macbeth. He ordered in Chinese and it was foods I'd never experienced - eating out with him was always a culinary journey. Later, after I went pescatarian, he was always mindful to get some special dish just for me.
He was always very kind to me, making sure I had a seat at the table. When the old masters got together, he always was held in high respect. His Kung Fu was high level and he was happy to demonstrate if asked.
His students was all strong - full contact fighters and burly - but very respectful and loyal. I'm very fond of his group. They all have good wude - engaged, genuine and polite. Several are good friends.
I'm so saddened to hear of David's passing. I saw him last year in Florida and he looked depleted, older, weaker, yet still in command of that table.
He was a dear friend in the wulin. Such a loss to our community.
David owned a restaurant club in SF back during the summer of love. He was a foodie and could play mean congos, having jammed with Santana's band back in the day and had great stories of his experiences back then. We'd talk for hours and his stories of Chinatown in the 60s were fascinating. We bonded not only over Kung Fu, but also over music and SF. He knew the city during one of its most romantic periods and I can still see the gleam in his eyes when he spoke about the music scene. And man, he knew food. He came through Cali frequently because he still had friends and family here. We'd go to lunch at some hidden Chinese joint in my own neighborhood that he knew because he knew the chef's specialties. Once one was this hole in the wall a block from Ranch Macbeth. He ordered in Chinese and it was foods I'd never experienced - eating out with him was always a culinary journey. Later, after I went pescatarian, he was always mindful to get some special dish just for me.
He was always very kind to me, making sure I had a seat at the table. When the old masters got together, he always was held in high respect. His Kung Fu was high level and he was happy to demonstrate if asked.
His students was all strong - full contact fighters and burly - but very respectful and loyal. I'm very fond of his group. They all have good wude - engaged, genuine and polite. Several are good friends.
I'm so saddened to hear of David's passing. I saw him last year in Florida and he looked depleted, older, weaker, yet still in command of that table.
He was a dear friend in the wulin. Such a loss to our community.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse
