David burst onto the scene in 1947 Stellenbosch, South Africa, probably already wielding a wrench and giving advice about carburettor maintenance. Growing up among vineyards with siblings Nerina, Biddy, and John, he developed an early appreciation for both fine wines and motor oil – though thankfully, he never mixed the two.
By age 13, while most kids were still mastering their bicycle bells, David was already fixing cars. This early mechanical prowess would later prove incredibly handy for getting out of trouble (and occasionally into it). His journey took him to Bishops College and then to the Air Force, where he became a helicopter pilot – because apparently, regular planes weren't exciting enough.
During a stint in London, David met Renny, who was either brave enough or crazy enough (possibly both) to marry him in 1975 in Sydney. Together they created three wonderful children—Oscar, Georgia, and Quinton—who inherited their father's penchant for adventure and his ability to be heard from three rooms away. The family later expanded to include six grandchildren: Ines, Anya, Rocco, Jasper, Sabina, and Felix, all of whom loved Grandpa's (sometimes inappropriate) stories.
Never one to follow a conventional path, the spanner head became a fashionista, and David and Renny established a fashion business on the Gold Coast. His booming voice and legendary storytelling abilities made him the life of every party, even the ones he wasn't invited to. His close friends, including the three Davids (Parker, Phillips, and the Original), John squared (Punch and Quinn), James Smith, Gary Scallan, Bookie and Adrian Cook (to name just a few), can attest that no gathering was complete without David's presence and his ability to turn a quick hello into a three-hour conversation.
In his later years, David took his love for cars to the next level with rally racing in his modified Toyota Land Cruiser, because apparently regular driving wasn't thrilling enough for this former helicopter pilot. His customised Land Cruiser became famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) in rally circles.
Above all, David was a family man who treated every day like a celebration waiting to happen. He approached life like he approached car repairs – with enthusiasm, creativity, and occasionally, loud exclamations that made everyone within earshot jump.
David is survived by his beloved wife Renny, his children Oscar, Georgia, and Quinton, and his six grandchildren, who will carry on his legacy of living life at full throttle.
