So what do you say about a guy that gave up a promising job in the laser industry to represent a motorcycle association in protecting the association’s riders’ right to ride? His lovely wife Berta agreed, knowing that the pay was about half of the laser job, but she also knew what a passion Dave had to protect all motorcyclists’ right to ride.
Dave’s credentials include serving as District 36 President for 11 years and serving as D36 Legislative Action Officer for decades. His calm demeanor and soft voice consistently brought issues to the attention of whoever was making the decisions. That included the D36 Board of Directors, the State of California Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Division Commission, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, lobbyists in Sacramento, the Governor’s office, California Air Resources Board, California Parks Staff and personnel, and his favorite sponsors-many, many sponsors.
His presentation of a VIP area at Hangtown for the representatives mentioned above, was famous throughout the state as the place to be for the start of the MX Nationals. This gave many political dignitaries their very first experience into off road racing! Thanks again Dirt Diggers for many years of supporting this endeavor.
Dave was always coming up with “another” idea. Some were great-some were not so great- but often he really killed it, like the now infamous D36 Night Enduro. Dave could not walk ten steps without running into someone who knew him, or knew of him. It didn’t matter, they became instant friends and fans. Especially sponsors and, the holy grail to Dave, the potential sponsor…. lol.
There wasn’t a fight that Dave wasn’t up for. He would research the subject to death, then pester, cajole, and influence his opinion until most people simply gave in. Dave would find little nuggets buried in pages and pages of obscure documents to find things, like the State preparing to deed a section of Prairie City OHV away that was specifically called for OHV use. No one would ever find these things but Dave did. The State was forced to admit their mistake and the property was ultimately added to Prairie City for OHV use.
Dave was above all a devoted husband and family man. He loved his home in the woods and to have everyone gather for the holidays. His beloved dogs and whatever eccentric vehicle he was fawning over lately were always shown off. From antique motorcycles, off beat street bikes and antique autos, to his latest obsession a Volkswagen Thing. I could never understand that choice, but heck, it was odd and hard to get parts for so Dave was all in!
I think it was Dave’s kind heart that endeared him to us all. That was probably the thing that melted away most of the opposition to any of his conversations. His wife Berta always kept the “home fires burning”, while supporting Dave in all that he did and accomplished. It is hard to imagine a world without Dave, so I’ll just think of Dave as being in another zip code-always there for a word of advice in that soft, gentle voice so soothing to us all.
God Speed Dave Pickett.
Jerry Fouts
