David Allen Rochester, Jr.
Dave’s email moniker was BIG DAVE, and he was big in size and bigger in heart….a kind and gentle man. Born on Christmas Day, 1958, his picture appeared in the local newspaper because he was one of 5 babies born in the small town of Lodi, California, on that day. He went home to heaven on Sunday, June 9, 2013.
Dave gave his heart to the Lord as a young boy, and when he was nine, he began to lose vision in his left eye to Coat’s disease, named after the doctor who first identified it and is usually only suffered by boys who are bigger and taller than normal for their age.
Within a few months he was completely blind in that eye, but it didn’t stop him from later playing sports in high school. At Christian High he played football and basketball, competed in the shot put and discus, and was on the golf team. He was a school leader, serving as School Chaplain and graduating in 1977.
Dave spent a year at Christian Heritage College, but wanted to join his dad in the building trade. After he obtained his General Contractor’s license, he proceeded to write a book about how to study for and pass that test.
During that time, he joined with three friends to form the Calvary Mountain Boys, a Christian Folk band. For two summers they ministered at Hume Lake Christian Camp with their music. One of the songs Dave wrote says,
“I am just a pilgrim,
Travelin’ through this land.
It won’t be long, and I’ll be gone,
Gone to the promised land.
I’m gonna’ see my family,
Never more to roam.
I’m just crossing over the Jordan,
I’m just gonna’ go on home.
I’m gonna’ see the Father.
I’m gonna’ see the Son.
I’m gonna’ see the Comforter,
When this here life’s done.
I am just a-traveling,
Walking through this land.
This world is not my home,
I’m just passing through,
Got my suitcase in my hand.
Amen. Alleluia.
This world’s not my home,
I’m just passing through,
God my suitcase in my hand.
Amen, amen.”
Dave survived by his wife of 31 1/2 years, Bonny (Parker) and their four children, Jacob, Benjamin, Ben’s wife Rosie, Amy Rochester, and Jessica Rochester. He leaves two grandchildren, Warren and Lily Rochester, his younger sister Wendy Rochester, and his parents David and Barbara Rochester, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Dave’s true passion in life was Bonsai. He was a member of the San Diego Bonsai Club for over twenty years, teaching the beginner class for many years and serving the club as President for the last year and a half. He truly loved to make the club meetings exciting for the members, planning contests, demonstrations, and arranging for special speakers. By all accounts, members held him in high regard.http://www.sandiegobonsaiclub.com/
Dave had been throwing pots for over ten years, specializing in Bonsai pots, although he made and fired bowls, cups, pitchers, vases and other useful items. His pots are on the Bonsai Artisans website at http://www.bonsaiartisans.com.
If a man is judged by what he accomplished in this world, Dave was a towering success. Beyond doubt, he fulfilled the words from Micah 6:8…”And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”