Dave hired me back in 1986.  As far as dispatch centers go - Comm Center was the place to work - it was the best.  I appreciated him for giving me a chance.  I was proud of where I worked and that was due to Dave doing his best to develop and grow the center.

Cathy you are an angel - you seemed to care for David with such love.

I first met Dave when a new part-time dispatcher back in 1977. Dave was the consummate dispatcher/supervisor. In the 20 years I worked for him I never saw him lose his cool, get flustered, or fail to inject humor and wisdom. He was always a pleasure to work with and for. Dave always wanted Comm Center to be the "one stop shopping" dispatch center. He wanted to make Comm Center the place where any one could call to get information or help. He realized this goal. He never stopped his pursuit of excellence. 

I remember one weekend when Dave and I had the morning shift at the Sierra Way center. It was supposed to rain, but not to worry. It would make for a slow day. It rained so hard the streets were rivers. Dave and I worked almost all morning without a break! It was challenging to say the least. Dave made it look easy. 

It became a running joke with us - As Dave would go home in the afternoon I would wait until he had rolled down the ramp and was just at the back door. I would call his name and he would roll back up the ramp to see what I needed. I would say "I just wanted to know where you were going!"

Not having him here leaves a large hole in the lives of so many people. It's help ease the pain to know that he filled a large void in heaven. I look forward so much to seeing him in our next life together. May the Lord bless you Cathy and all Dave's friends. May His peace be with you.

Dearest Cathy,  I first met my cousin Dave in the summer of 1960, when my parents and I visited southern Cal.  I was in college in Nebraska and Dave would have been in Jr. High.  Uncle Pat and Aunt Betty invited us too their home for a swim and a picnic.  I spent the afternoon in the pool with Dave, laughing and splashing. We had so much fun.  It was not until 2002 that we could meet again in Phoenix with our cousins, Tom and Pat and you Cathy.  We got to know each other that weekend.  I don't have brothers, but I have Tom and Dave.  Loved them both immediately.  Dave's joy for life, intelligence, kindness and opptimism were inspiring.  A few years later we met in Portland.  More fun.  You were the best!!  Grace and Peace to you Cathy,

David was an inspiration to so many people. In our memoir class, he encouraged fellow writers and always tempered criticism with humor and good will. He added dimension to our lives. Thank you, David for being a good friend!

My deepest, heartfelt condolences!  Dave was a man, with the biggest heart! He was loved by many! May God's Loving Arms, hold him, as they Comfort Cathy, all the family and friends!  He will be forever in our Hearts!

On April 30, 2011, Dave came out to Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree for an author's event, HIS author event. After building a state of the art EMS dispatch system, Dave retired and began to write, and like everything else he did, his work was thoughtful and genuine. Dave wrote articles and essays on a number of topics, including life in a wheelchair, travels into Baja with his wife's late father, Jack Thurman, and a truly wonderful history about his father, Verald Emerson Dowling, “known as ‘Pat' to his friends.” Dave loved writing about the desert, its history and, at times, its imagined history, including tales of Willie Boy. In 2009 Dave ane I met in Yucca Valley to discuss his Pipes Canyon stories. Coincidentally, a woman was in the restaurant who, with her husband, had homesteaded acreage at the top of the canyon in 1932. Even if she'd been a child bride back then, we figured she must be in her nineties. Another homesteader there knew her well, and together they regaled Dave with their stories. That's what I loved about Dave, the joy that he took in the company of those around him. That April when he shared his writings at the college, the local historical society turned out and subsequently published his work. We celebrated that evening at Willie Boys in Morongo Valley, Dave, Cathy, Cliff, Bonnie, and me. Here's to you, Wheels!
Here is an excerpt from “Under Calexican Stars,” a poem by Dave:

cosmic inclusion,
youth with its passions...
large ideas in small words,
chances received, chances grabbed,
experience dreams, smell and listen,
deep in a night, far from home.
sweat in the air,
wind straining your hair.
mysterious black night,
desiertos del sur, carreteras distante,
abandoned sea, ancient shores

David Dowling was the most humble, caring, understanding man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  I asked him once "If you could make one wish, what would it be?"  His answer was "Nothing....I have everything I want."  Then I asked "You wouldn't wish for the use of your legs?"  And he said "NO".  I asked "why not?".  He answered "Because then I wouldn't be me!"  
Tawnya Becker

Dave will always be remembered as a truly kind person. Amy and I were both blessed to have known him. He will be missed.  Your family will contine to be in our prayers.

Cathy, on behalf of my family, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family.. Wow! So many things I will remember about Dave, in the short time that I knew him, I can truly say he was an amazing man, he became our family as soon as my brother David introduced us to you both, I will cherish the birthday parties, swimming at your home, and always hearing the stories from David V,always sharing his day , on how he spend his time , talking , laughing , and of course working .Dave was so good to my brother and his kids , for this I'm so grateful for, he will never be forgotten.. rest in peace Dave..

My condolences to you Cathy and your precious family.  I will keep you in my heart, thoughts and prayers.  Dave will truly be missed by many people because he touched many lives with his sensitivity, awesome personality, handsome friendly smile, positive attitude, wonderful exciting stories, gentle demeanor and great sense of humor. It was such a pleasure working with him at Comm Center, he made my job so much fun and he was such a JOY to see everyday. May our Almighty Father in Heaven give your family strength in your faith, courage for the challenging days ahead of you, comfort, love and peace in your hearts and heal your broken hearts.  To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  I know Dave is smiling down at all of us and will be our guardian Angel.  The last time I saw Dave at Sue's retirement party he looked great and so happy in his retirement with his love of his life "CATHY".  Te Amo and God Bless You always.....Andi Ordaz

David was a great friend to 9-1-1 Magazine and wrote several important stories for us (including his well-researched investigation on hearing tests for dispatchers that posted just last month). We appreciate his friendship, the eagerness with which he displayed in his writing process, and his lengthy service in and commitment to the emergency telecommunications community and we offer our sincere condolences and kind thoughts to his wife and family.

Prior to the formation of the fire dispatch center (Comm Center) Dave was the senior dispatcher for the Fontana Fire District and one day in the early years, it was decided to put an "early response" system for the Firefighters in the Headquarters Station to be activated by Dave or other dispatchers upon receiving a emergency call involving fire personnell at this station.  This crude system, although effective, consisted of the "side lights"" from a utility trailer which were situated in various locations throughout the station.  Upon receiving an emergency call, the lights would be lit prior to the normal alarm being sounded for all stations.  This would allow the Firefighters a few seconds to respond to the situation.  Many a laugh was shared with Dave over the crudeness of the system, and much the Firefighters appreciated his willingness to progress with something new.  He will be missed.

I'm in Marilyn's Writing Class, and although I never met David, I heard so many wonderful things about him that I feel as though he is a friend. Please accept my condolences.
Joan Brown, CA

Not sure many Firefighters are left who know the very beginning of Comm Center and the role Dave played in its development.  I will be extremely brief in telling the story.  Dave started out as a volunteer dispatcher with the Muscoy Fire Dept.  Muscoy Fire Chief Earl Mathiot believed in Dave and put him to work as their dispatcher.  Dave's voice soon began to be heard throughout San Bernardino County as we all shared a common radio frequency. Dave was very good at anticipating needs and problems that would come his way.  I have seen circumstances where a Captain responding to a multi-casualty incident would request additional ambulances be sent to the scene and Dave had already made the request before the Captain asked for it.  
Fontana Fire Chief R J Keen started talks with Chief Mathiot as well as Bloomington Fire Chief Nat Alvarez about merging the departments and creating the Central Valley Fire District.  At that time, Fontana, Bloomington and Muscoy each had their own dispatch center.  Chief Mathiot insisted that should a merger take place, Dave Dowling would be the Chief Dispatcher of one “combined” center. Everyone agreed it would be a good idea.  
RJ Keen became the Chief of the Central Valley District, with Earl Mathiot and Nat Alvarez becoming Deputy Fire Chief's.  During that time, I was a Fire Captain and assigned the task to convert office space at Fontana Fire Headquarters into a joint dispatch center.  Only then, did I learn Dave was confined to a wheel chair.  Up until then, I only knew his voice and upon meeting him, we instantly became friends.  
Battalion Chief Roy Dietrich was my supervisor for the conversion.  Roy, like me, only knew Dave by voice.  Once they met, Roy joined me in building a ramp for Dave to have easy access to the new dispatch center.  He helped me install wider doors, a proper restroom for Dave, and trimmed down one of the consoles for Dave.  
Dave began building a team of dispatchers who greatly improved the way things were done.  His management style was leading by example and what a wonderful example he put forward. 
There is so much more to Dave, but this will give you a glimpse of how he rose from a small dispatch center in Muscoy to a County wide, multi-agency and highly honored state of the art dispatch center.  
Without doubt, Dave will be missed every day.  
Mel Enslow, Fire Chief, retired, Redlands

David......my old and dear friend, my heart has been heavy these last few days but then I realized how free you are now and I'm happy. Thank you for being my friend, always there for me. I will never forget you

David...you were an inspiration to all fortunate enough to cross your path. You will be missed by many.

Dave you wer always an inspiration to me and my family you were always optimistic and never seemed to judge, you will be missed greatly ... love to one of the good guys love Naomi Gleason

Dave, thou we have had a long separation over the years, you were still a good friend, and I savor the things we did as teenagers, and " HAM ops. Final 73's, and my thoughts go out to Cathy & Family...Dennis ( WA6UPS)

Dave, I will always remember what you would say when I came in your office..."what 'ya got going?"  You were always interested in EVERYTHING! You had a zest for life that few people possess. You were a great friend and co-worker and I'm going to miss you.

Mike "Lobo" Wolf

I love you grandpa u are my everything my world my best friend I miss u may u rest in peace

Dave, you will be missed by all of us who were able to say you were a friend.

WHEELS WITH WINGS
Yesterday a great sadness invaded my world and I was overcome by it, bringing grief, and tears, and memories. My friend, my colleague, co-author, fellow writer, former classmate and science buddy, David Dowling, I learned, had died. He had contracted cellulitis and a massive blood infection, which his immune system simply couldn't fight. After successfully fighting years of medical battles, this one got the better of him. 
This message is for him:
David, are you wearing shoes? Are you standing up, walking around, jumping up and down? Yes, I know you are. You have told me that already. I see you clearly, smiling, and I hear you. Away with the chair!  You are at last whole again. Although you never felt confined by your chair, and you certainly weren't, you were confined to it. It is gone now, my friend, and you are free of it forever. Free to dance, and run, to fly! 
What wonders are you seeing? What is out there? Where, exactly are you? Can you see us down here, sorrowing over our loss? Rivers of tears have already been shed by all those who knew and loved you. They will not stop any time soon. We will mourn you always, yet remember the man you were. You have earned your wings, David, use them often. Take off, see the universe you so loved, and the desert. They are yours now, not ours. 
Pain and illness are gone, only light and happiness come. You lived your life as you wished; did fantastic things, had great adventures, more than most people. I thank you for writing some of them down for us to cherish. Treasures, they are. Your legacy for us to keep.
The depth of my sorrow surprises me, but why should it? You are worthy of the deepest sorrow there is. A good and decent man who inspired others with your unfailing optimism and light-heartedness, with never a complaint or self-pity, or unkind word. You were the example we fellow humans should follow, walkers or wheelers. You inspired me in life and in my writing. You made me better at what I was trying to do. Those things will not fade; I will cling to them and use them as you did. 
 I will not forget you, my friend, not ever. I will see you again, when my wings are new, and then forever afterward. Peace be the journey.
In love and gratitude for the sweet, pure friendship we shared, 


Pam W
April 18, 2014

Dave, Thank You for being in my life. We had so many good laughs and giggles. You Will always be in my heart.

OBITUARY

Dave Dowling

October 20, 1947 – April 17, 2014

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

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