Autrey

Dave was an unusual creature. He was brilliant. He was decadent. He was the most cynical person I can remember ever meeting in college -- perhaps anywhere. Dave was from Oklahoma; I don't remember the exact location, but I believe it was a small town. He would have you believe that he was indeed a man of the world, but you could never figure out how he could have gained such a background growing up in Oklahoma.

Dave led me into a strange world of drinking and carousing on fraternity row on Friday afternoons and weekends. I had only a sip of beer before college, but now Dave and I would pass from one beer bust to the next, from noon into the night. UCLA was certainly more interesting than Cox's Creek, Kentucky.

He was also my conscience, reminding me often and rather harshly about how my behavior was at odds with the dictums of the Church.

We had a lot of good times together experiencing life and freedom in L.A., growing up some. We parted ways when I graduated. His photo does not appear with the senior Midshipmen who graduated in 1963. I don't remember now if he dropped out of the program or simply graduating in a following semester.

I've never heard anything more about Dave, but I cannot forget the well-meaning abuse we used to heap on each other. Or the sight of him playing ping pong at 2:00 AM in the recreation room of Dykstra Hall. It has been a long time, Dave.

Dave has been found, but I still don't know who for sure it was who told Dave I was looking for him. Though Dave and I have now exchanged a number of long e-mails, he has neglected to answer that question! Whoever you are, I'm grateful.