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Tribute to Dave Harper, Dman

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I met Dave Harper in 1982 at an armor convention in San Diego, California. He was so young, about 23 and looked about 18. I ran into him and Bill several times at other shows in California, an IPMS National in L.A. and others. Then in the late 80s, Bill began doing some sculpting for Verlinden productions. I always handled all the sculptors and pattern makers in the Americas, and my partner handled Europe and Asia. So, as Dave was Bill's manager, we became good friends. Dave had been producing videos for years, so in 1993, I hired him to make a video about VLS and the grand opening of Miniature World, including Mastercon III, which, then, was in the VLS HQ building in O'Fallon, Missouri's Lone Star Industrial Park. Later, in 1996, I hired him to do another video of Miniature World to sell in the gift shop after it had moved to St. Charles. Throughout this time Bill continued sculpting for VP. In 1996, Susan and I travelled to Portland to visit Dave and Bill.
Dave had came to Mastercon VIII on his own to produce a video of that.
My art manager had just given me notice and with Dave's knowledge of graphics, I hired him to work for VLS. He began as manager of the art department of VLS in September, 1999. We grew very close over the years and took a lot of trips together with Susan and Bill. We went to the west coast in 2000 and all points between in the Motor coach. Two weeks long and Dave kept us all laughing the entire trip. We laughed so hard at his antics we couldn't see for the tears in our eyes.
It became a tradition that on all holidays, Dave and Bill would come to the house and have dinner and then every tuesday evening after work, they would come over for dinner and then watch the newest release from Blockbusters. During the 8 years Dave and Bill worked for VLS, we went to lunch together every day. Anybody who knows Dave at all knew that he had an obsession with Taco Bell. I like mexican food but every day, lunch and dinner, come on. Dave went to Taco Bell. We all made a joke about it and teased him all the time, but, after he moved away, I have to admit, Susan and I have never been back to Taco Bell since.
Mostly, the problem I had with Dave was his intense dislike for another management person at VLS and former member of T & T.  Dave was a big boy, and the guy he didn't like was even much bigger. Several times I found myself in between the two with my hands on each of their chests holding them apart! That bad relationship never wound down up to the moment of his passing. I tried my best, but it just wasn't happening!
When I sold VLS, Dave accepted an offer with the company that bought us out, MMD/Squadron. They had to move to Dallas and it was a very sad moment for me and susan. They moved in July, 2007. Since, we have visited him and Bill several times each winter when we take the coach to south Texas to escape the snowstorms. Dave also came to visit every year as well. He never wanted to go anywhere while visiting. Just veg out, eat home cooking and talk, talk, talk! He had planned on coming here next month, in November.
Shortly after he left, he emailed me with a picture of, in his words, a really hot babe! I agreed with that of course and learned her name.
Jenny Croft, an Aussie. Later, he called me and asked me to join her site, Tanks and Things. I said no, as the modeling websites I had visited really turned me off. It always seemed that the members, who never modeled, for the most part, got their 15 minutes of fame tearing somebody else down. However, Dave convinced me to at least look at it.
I did, liked what I saw and finally contacted Jenny and joined on the 12th of December, 2008. Without Dave, I would have never became a member.
When he first told us about his cancer, he played it down like there was no big deal. Later, we learned the truth. In spite of the cancer spreading to numerous parts of his body, he was taking Chemo and seemed to be improving. We talked on the phone almost daily, and often on the computer using Skype. We had no secrets from each other and were really close. He was as much a best friend to Susan as well. In time, his hair grew back, he regained all the weight he had lost and we almost forgot he was sick. He looked normal and acted normal and everything was great!
Then on the 18th of september, he called and wanted to talk. Dave was one of those guys who I could talk to on and on and never get tired.
He sounded strange, slurred his words and I began worrying again. He said it was because of the medication, so I cautiously accepted that explanation. Looking back, I now think Dave knew he was worse. Two days later he went to the hospital in an ambulance and then into a coma which he never came out of.
I have had hundreds, perhaps thousands of good friends in my life.
However, I had five that were really special, very best friends, in my 70 years. Dave was one of them. His passing is a huge loss to the hobby and the industry to be sure, but, for me and Susan it has meant an even greater loss. We will never forget Dave, We couldn't if we wanted to. Probably the greatest thing about Dave Harper, at least to me, was his total honesty. Never ask Dave something if you didn't want to hear the truth. It never mattered to Dave if you were a nobody or his boss, he gave it to you straight! We have made sure that Bill is being taken care of and he will be moving back to his home town of Portland. We feel so very sorry for him. Dave's absence will forever leave a hole in our life. Susan and I will surely miss him till our own times come around!
Rest in Peace Buddy and Semper Fi Mac! We love you!
Bob and Susan Letterman
 

 
It is with great sadness we learn't of the passing of our dear friend and Moderator , David Harper , due to cancer .
My dear friend David , how I will miss his emails , his humour , his knowledge and his support in my life . We were often exchanging photos , information and bits and pieces . David had a liking for Aussie Tim Tam biscuits ,  every parcel I sent was loaded with Tim Tams for David and his great mate Bill Chilstrom .
David had a love for the US Marine Corps . His father was a USMC tankman who served in the pacific , he was cited for Heroism during the battle for Peleliu . David used to talk regularly to his father about his wartime experiences , no doubt fuelling his thirst for knowledge on all things related to the war in the pacific.
It is through this love that Dave became one of the worlds leading authorities on the pacific campaign , about the vehicles used by the Marine corps and modelling them . David also had a love for graphic design which led to him publishing many military titles for VLS , Hardcorps & Squadron Signal .
I have had an empty feeling since I heard of his entering into a coma , that obnoxious disease , cancer , my feeling of uselessness at my friends demise .  It was within Davids great love that I found something that I can do . I was thinking of the Marine Corps , I realised that they are an offensive weapon .  I feel as if David himself was telling me this . That instead of feeling depressed and useless , I can channel my grief into action which is why I am going to urge every single modelling friend and associate to turn to the offensive with me and give to the local cancer foundations in your area .
Lets all hit the beach hard with this , think of your stash of kits , yes we all have them , rather than add a kit which in reality may never be built , next time donate that amount to cancer research , do it for Dave . With our help we can help secure the future of others with Cancer .  Do it for Dave
I also would like to announce that we will be moving the start date back for "I hate Flying Thingies II" & also "Bomber command" back to March . I would like to take this opportunity to announce on January 1st 2011 we will start "The David Harper Specific Pacific Memorial Group build " . Now this will not be an ordinary group build ,  I hope that other sites will also run a parallel group build which we can all link together .  I am also arranging specials lists from some model stores with Specifically Pacific products in December , the companies which are providing this discount will be donating a percentage of all the specials sales to Cancer Research .  Please support them , do it for Dave .
I know that every single member of this site will participate in this build , we are doing this in memory of a great friend , we are doing it and reflecting on a modeller who made a huge impact in the modelling community , we are doing so to proactively fight against cancer , we are doing it for Dave .
My friend and moderator  overlooking our site always , Semper Fidelis D'Man
Jenny Croft (Jgal)
 

 
I met Dave at MasterCon about 8 years ago.  Not long after that we were working together on some of his projects and we became fast friends.  We would talk about the hobby business, history, modeling, or his and Bills cats.  After every MasterCon he would invite some of us to his house for chips, salsa, and pop(NO BEER Dave didn't drink).  We would go down to his workshop and talk about modeling and tell jokes and stories.  I'm going to miss that!  The main thing was Dave was good friend, he would stand with you.  You know I have questions about my LVT project with no one to ask, because Dave was the expert.  He knew more than he could put into a book.  Well Dave I guess I'll just do the best I can.  I'm going to miss you Dave!
Dave Semper Fi Carry on
Terry Barrow(MrT)

I only met Dave via the internet here at TnT. Like so many of us here I felt a sense of family and now loss.  We had fun with him trying to make him update his Facebook profile with a picture of himself. He finally relented to my pressure, or more likely, Jenny's gentle prodding and uploaded the picture you see here. That is an infectious smile if I have ever seen one. From what others has told me, I really missed the chance to know a very kind man. Rest in Peace Dave. Your presences will forever be known in this little community.
 
Bob Britt (Moon Puppy)
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