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 Dave
was born in 1920, attended grade school in North Haven, then graduated
from Lyman High School in Wallingford. He spent a year in college to round
out his education after which he went to work in at Knutsens Dairy in
North Haven, CT (now Markus Dairy}. In 1942 Dave married his wife Edna, a
love story that lasted sixty years. Just two months after his wedding he
was called to into the Armed Forces.
He was assigned to the Air Corps and because of his stature he trained as a ball turret gunner on B-17 flying fortress. He flew a total of 35 missions, 21 while based in Italy, and 14 while assigned to a based in England. The pilot he went overseas with, was shot down and killed. Dave remembers him to this day. While flying those 35 missions he could not count the number of times his plane was hit with flak. If fact he still has at home several souvenirs from some really close calls. His last 3 missions were flown over Berlin, and he would just as soon forget about those last three flights. Upon being discharged from the military in 1945 he returned to his old job at the dairy, and picked up where he left off, as many of the veterans tried to do. |
In 1947 still having
a love for music Dave joined the New Haven Chapter, becoming a member of
Barbershop Harmony Society. In the year 1957 he joined the Meriden Chapter as
Director serving for 39 years. In that time he sang in several quartets.
In 1955 while singing with the, “Elm Chords”. And after winning the
North East District competition he went to Miami, FL and competed in the
Nationals. Again in 1957 the same quartet won the District this time
traveling to Los Angles to compete. One of those members was none other
than our own “Doc” Sause.
In 1978 at the age of 69 Dave retired from Knutsens Dairy. To keep himself occupied he spends time with his 5 children as well as his 5 grand children. He still sings in his church choir as well as with the Connecticut Yankee Chorus where he holds the title of Senior Singer.
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