David Barkley
11 November 1940 - 15 May 2006
David Barkley 11 November 1940 - 15 May 2006 |
David Barkley, our founder and Company President, was tragically killed in an accident on Monday, May 15th 2006. He was an amazing man, having accomplished much in his lifetime.
Born in Los Angeles in 1940, David moved to South Lake Tahoe with his family in 1946. He attended local schools and graduated from South Tahoe High School in 1958 (one of the first graduating classes in Lake Tahoe). After spending three years at the University of Nevada, David transferred and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business from San Jose State University in 1965.
In 1984 David met his wife Kitt while scuba diving in Lake Tahoe. Also in that year, David and two longtime friends flew a single engine plane around the world. Sharing his love for adventure, Kitt joined him on a Pacific crossing in 1986. David and Kitt lived for four months in Queenstown, New Zealand, where David began cultivating business connections, later establishing Pilot Trading Company (Pilot Brands) in the United States.
In addition to flying, David enjoyed world travel and was a passionate athlete. He was a lifelong skier (representing his high school team in ski jumping,) a hang glider, runner, tennis player, golfer, and bike-riding enthusiast. He rode mountain bikes and road bikes and traveled to France in 2005 to witness Lance Armstong's record victory in the Tour de France.
David, or "DB" as he was affectionately known to us, is sorely missed at Pilot Brands. Much more than head of the company, he was a friend and mentor to us all. David was a true gentleman who touched the lives of many people throughout his years in our industry, it will be a poorer place for his passing.
Link to David's obituary in the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
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