Kathy Goodson just posted on Dave’s caring bridge site about Dave’s passing. TOC was well known by many here and his strong beliefs about DCC and Bachmann. 
I thought the LSC folks would like to know.
Dang. He was a constant in the large scale community. Condolences to his family.
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Dave was a one-of-a-kind, and though he might appear Curmudgeonly he was always kind and helpful - except to people who didn’t take his advice, like Bachmann! He sent me unobtainable parts without asking for payment, and always had good advice.
He will be missed. R.I.P TOC.
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Dave was one in a million. Back when I was getting started and he was active on the forums, I was looking for some New Bright cars to cut up for decorations. Dave offered me a box full for shipping. I was unemployed at the time and was floored when a big box arrived with a $70 shipping bill. I called Dave to explain that I would have trouble paying and needed to split it up. He graciously offered to cover half the cost. I never forgot that and have tried to pay it forward ever since
RIP Dave. You will be missed.
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Sad news indeed, a one of a kind gentleman though crusty at times.
Condolences to his family’s and friends.
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I’m in this hobby because of Dave and his motley crew of weekly operators. I was barely 16 when some co workers at the hobby shop I worked at invited me up for an ops session…
My parents thought it was a bit odd but gave me the go ahead for a trial run and wanted to meet Dave. After the first night I was hooked and I think the next day when I was at
work I bought my GP9 and caboose. Within a couple of weeks I had Dave convert it.
Tales of a teenage boy: I’d run home from school on Friday afternoons, grab my wooden box of the GP9, extra battery car and caboose and hop on the bus to Kirkland. I’d transfer to another bus and then walk about the 1/4 mile down to Dave’s house. I’d get there about 1630-1645 depending on the bus and how late it was running. We’d run until 2100 and then I’d help with cleanup. I’d call my folks and ask them to come over and pick me up as they started having dinner at my grandparents house just a few miles away. We’d go back to grandparents house for a big bowl of ice cream and the 10 pm news. And my grandma would complain the whole time that I smelled like cigars. 
All sorts of interesting stories from the crew.
I did that very Friday until I graduated from high school. Then my parents and I moved and my job with BNSF started so the frequency was less and less.
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I remember TOC dropping in at the chat-bar occasionally. Never met him in person would have liked to…
You will be missed old friend.
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Thank you for posting this Craig. I’m truly sorry to hear this and my condolences to his friends and family.
I never met Dave but even though we butted heads online I still had the utmost respect for him as person along with his skills/knowledge. I believe he respected me as well. Somewhere there are pics of the Rooster on his layout.
I just saw this pic the other day and I thought I should delete it as know one will remember it.
I stole Dave’s avatar and taped his mouth shut years ago.
Vic Smith replied instantly and said “It won’t work” …glad I saved it as I heard Dave thought it was funny!
Another Large loss to the Large scale community.
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My first introduction with TOC was online 23 years ago was very contentious! However, we both got over it and shared many of in person moments for over 20 years as we lived very close to each other. He single handedly got me hooked on this hobby. He fixed locomotives I was having trouble with multiple times over the years. I purchased a number of locomotives from him over the years, and he did the Barry’s Big Train conversion on my only Bachmann Big Hauler. He had come to my home a number of times to witness my LGB Christmas Train layout that grew and grew through the years and is still growing. I was at his place a number of times in the summer months for the train runnings on his outdoor layout. Way too much fun! I’ve known Dave has not been well for a number of years and have watched him get worse. He was one of a kind. He will truly be missed. Our hobby has lost a true influence that won’t be replaced. I owe him a huge thanks. I hope you are running trains in heaven and giving people hell… 
So sad to hear of Dave’s passing. Dave was instrumental during the beginning of 1:20.3. I enjoyed our several diners together and visiting his excellent railroad, He will be missed.
Perhaps we can all blow a whistle for Dave next time we run our trains.
Stan
Very sad indeed, so much knowledge
He will be missed
Yet another BIG loss to the G scale community…Dave and I had several discussions on ideas on the MIK, and we worked thru them… You all have got the benefit from some of those talks…
I spent some time with Dave many years ago.
I have a Bachman Big hauler that Dave installed a Barry’s drive for me.
Ride the rails across that Rainbow Bridge, Dave.
Sad news. Sorry to hear we lost another old timer who was packed with experience.