Dave and I met each other freshman year at Miami University in 1985.  He and I hit it off immediately and grew to be best friends and roommates in college.  Dave always had a quick wit about him which always made others laugh.  Looking back it makes me smile at some of the ridiculous things we did at a "no car" campus in rural Ohio in the 1980s.  Dave was an intelligent and kind guy with big big heart.  Looking back I have only good memories of him and this picture is emblematic of how I remember him.  My thoughts and prayers go to his family and all who loved him.  He will be so missed and loved.

I just saw this news and am so sorry to hear this.  Dave and I dated in Chicago when working at DDB Needham together and spent a lot of time together before going our separate ways.  He was always such a sweet person with a great sense of humor.  We had fallen completely out of touch, but I am still so sorry to hear this and send my condolences to his family.

Dave and I were the best of friends having met at DDB Needham in Chicago, both of our first jobs.   We shared countless laughs, basketball games, video game grudge matches and special times together.  He got to know me and my wife very well over the years and was a groomsman at my wedding.  I really don't like trying to put a man's life into a few words, as there is so much more to say , tell and share, that only my memories truly can portray in any meaningful way.

Dave this is not the end of my thoughts for you and your family which lives on in your memory.  I think of you often and will the rest of my life.  I always hoped we would grow old together and rekindle those special times.  I'll mention one time no one but he and I know about, but we sat one summer day on the beach of Lake Michigan, starting to write a screen play for one of those goofy 'Airplane" type parodies of the Mafia movies.  We didnt get far but it was fun.  So sad, so sorry for everyone that will miss Dave, or Qincy as I coined him.

Kovalak Family, I learned last night of Dave's passing.  We spent most of our junior and senior years at Miami together as friends.  We attended the same classes, worked on joint projects and contemplated our past, present and future.  We sat together at graduation.  He and Kristi attended my wedding, I went to theirs in St. Louis the same year.  I've rarely encountered someone as intelligent, kind and fun as Dave.  I'm going to miss you GB.

I was so saddened to learn of Dave’s passing - way way too young. He was kind and witty - and yes, a gentle soul. The kind of guy with only fans and no enemies. Like Matt, I, too, got to know Dave a little bit through band. We reconnected on Facebook a few years ago and enjoyed seeing each other’s posts on the Browns Diehard Fans Page. I was hoping to see him in person one of these days in the course of my business travels. So many of the good ones go far too soon. I’m heartbroken for his family. But I can only smile thinking of the Dave I knew many moons ago. 

I was fortunate to have met Dave through work. He was passionate about helping everyone he came in contact with. He had a funny sense a humor that I will never forget. Dave’s favorite thing to talk about was his boys. He used to talk about their baseball games and how proud he was of both of them. My deepest condolences go out to his family. May the memories you shared bring happiness on a sad day.

I first met Dave late in the Summer of 1983, when I was a freshman in Kent's marching band...where we both played the snare drum.   While other upper-classmen in the band were sometimes a little rough on the underclassmen, Dave was always a soft-spoken gentleman..  The following year, he was the section leader of percussion...where once again his intelligence and good nature helped to make band more fun, both on the football field and on stage..  I seem to remember going to a few haunted houses with Dave and another percussion guy, back then...with either Dave or my sister driving, because I was too young.   I'm sure that we all had a good time, with lots of laughs..
     My sympathies to his children, and to his family.    I'll always remember Dave as being a gentle soul..

Wow, taken so young.   My heart goes out to Uncle Bobby and Aunt Carolyn, Kathy, Dave, and the girls.  I can’t even imagine what you are feeling right now.   Prayers of peace to you.   My earliest memories of David was him always being or appearing to be the good one while his sister got into mischief.   Just like his dad, telling a funny story or a joke to make any situation merrier.   Last time we talked we were planning to meet in St Louis for a baseball game as he was a minor league fan. Our team, the Lake Erie Crushers, came to his town a couple times a year to play the St Louis team in our league, the Gateway Grizzlies.   I am very sad to say we never had a chance to watch a ball game together.  David you will be missed.  You were a special man with a fighting spirit.   May you find peace.   

We enjoyed so much sitting with Dave at the boys' baseball games.  He was a delightful man with a great sense of humor and a great attitude about life.  We will miss him dearly.  We pray for the Kovalak family that this sting of loss will eventually subside and leave only the wonderful memories of this great father and friend.  

Where to begin?  So many memories of so many holidays.   Dave could always be counted on to bring his famous not-homemade-but-still enjoyed onion dip and chips.  We cried with laughter reading his witty newsletter from the fantasy basketball league years ago.  And, most of all, we will always remember how much he loved his sons.    We will miss him.

OBITUARY

David Robert Kovalak

March 16, 1967 – February 8, 2019

Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel

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