David Fuller      April 1, 1947 - Jan 11, 1989

"Hey you, come with me!" 

When I met David on the steps of Sproul Hall in Berkeley,  I had just hitch hiked back to Berkeley from San Francisco.  I had been out all night in the city, eventually crashing at the Ritch St Baths.  I was still sort of sleepy, and watching the usual characters do their thing around Ludwigs Fountain. I hadn't yet made it home.  I heard that voice saying "Hey You", but didn't really look up right away to see who it was.  When I did, I thought I heard angels sing!  There was this very good looking guy, asking me to come with him.  What else could I do?  I went!

As it turned out David was a seminarian at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific.  He was studying to be an Episcopal Priest!  Well, I was taken back a bit, that here I was being taken into a seminary.  But that was Dave, he was never shy about his sexuality.  I fell head over heels for David!  That euphoria lasted about a year.  However, Dave and I were to spend much of the rest of our lives either as roommates or just very good friends.  I never strayed far.  Dave was quite a man about town.  He had a certain charm, that everyone fell for. 

We lived together through his years at CDSP.  Although he had many lovers, after me.  Unfortunately Daves Bishop in Louisiana, did not approve of Davids lifestyle.  He was denied ordination. He however, did get his DD.  He could have been ordained in California, but he declined.  He had a few different jobs, one of which was with me, as custodians at a Presbyterian Church in Richmond California.  He later on, became Assistant Chaplain at Mills College in Oakland. He had a few other jobs after that, and a few other lovers.  All of whom, made my list of dear friends. 

In 1984 David moved to Seattle, to be with his then partner John Crosby.  John was then working for the Milwaukee Road Railway in Seattle.  David also ended up working for the Railroad. They worked for the railroad for over ten years. Both he and John eventually retired from the railroad which by then had been absorbed by  Burlington Northern.  It was at this time that David met his final partner, David Payne.  We all referred to him as "Little Dave" though.  All three of us, volunteered during the mid eighties for "The Chicken Soup Brigade", an AIDS support group.  David also became a counselor for SHANTI at this time.  We watched, as many of the young men we cared for, eventually succumbed to AIDS.  It was a trying time, for all of us.  Then in 1986 Dave said, " I think I have AIDS".  He had discovered a purplish patch on his leg.  It slowly grew, and more appeared.  Dave had KS!  It's one thing to care for strangers, dying from a terrible disease.  It's quite another, to see one of your dearest friends going through the same!  David finally succumbed to AIDS, shortly after New Years in 1989.  My life would never be the same without him.  He was my confidant, and the big brother that I never had.