CARPENTER, ALFRED DAVID of Houston, formerly of Irving, Texas, born on May 1, 1942 and passed away January 28, 2008. He graduated from the University of Texas and was an architectural engineer. He loved music and touring the country on his motorcycle. Survivors are his mother, Winifred Carpenter; sister, Anne Carpenter; brother, George Carpenter. Memorial donations may be sent to Columbia United Methodist Church in West Columbia, Texas; Plymouth Park United Methodist Church in Irving; or your favorite charity. Condolences may be sent to Baker Funeral Home; 634 Columbia Dr.; West Columbia, Texas 77486. E-mail: [email protected]
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
OMJ, me & Dave, 2001
Charles
March 4, 2008
I met Dave Carpenter in September 1961 when I started at the University of Texas at Austin and moved into the Campus Guild. The Campus Guild had four units with twenty residents in each unit, and Dave, Byron Black, Skip Blanton, and I were all in unit 2.
Later Byron took up serious motorcycle racing, and John Horn at the Campus guild got involved along with Mike Bonnell, another student at the University. Dave and I took up racing in 1964 and raced together at various times starting in 1964.
In 1968 - 1970 Dave and I, along with James Gardner entered bikes in the 6-hour race at Torreon in Mexico. In 1968 Dave and I were team riders on his bike, and we brought home the 10th place trophy.
Following college I was an ex-Navy reservist, and Dave went off to do a stint in the Coast Guard. I started a career in engineering, and Dave started working for the Texas Highway Department as a bridge engineer. He later went to work for Kellog Brown and Root.
I met Dave several times in the last few years at the motorcycle races, and I corresponded with him by e-mail several times each year. In the last few years Dave would send me clipplings from the Wall Street Journal, often with helpful financial advice. When I learned I would be coming out to California in January I dropped him a note. He advised me to stop by in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to visit Bill Albert. I told him I would be taking the southern route through Tucson and would not be going by Las Vegas. That was January 5. Apparently Dave died about a week later.
John Blanton
February 21, 2008
Dave was a friend to my parents, John Blanton and Helen Cutler, and a nice guy to me. I only wish I had gotten to see him more often. Max Speed, Dave! May God have a racetrack for you to enjoy to your heart's content. I'll miss you, too. +
Tania Coombes
February 12, 2008
The world has lost another free spirit. I met Dave back in the 60's when he was at UT.
May he rest in peace.
Helen Cutler
February 12, 2008
I am the wife of John Blanton who was one of David's old motorcycle buddies (God's Bats Road Racing Club, Austin, Texas). In addition to meeting John at motorcycle races, David also kept in touch with John by emails and notes with WSJ or newspaper articles he found of interest. David sent John the following picture by email on Oct. 30, 2007 stating a humorous cloning experiment -- this is the only recent picture we have of David. As said by others, MAX SPEED to David -- he will be missed.
Barbara Neuser
February 8, 2008
Godspeed Dave. I you were a great guy to be around and were a blessing. May God bless your soul.
Joe Prouse
February 8, 2008
I knew David through motorcycles, he was a kind and wonderful man. He closed every correspondence to me with this phrase, "Max Speed" I hope you found peace. Max Speed my friend
Charles Statman
February 7, 2008
To The Carpenter Family,
With Peace,Hope,And Sympathy.
May You Find Comfort In Knowing
That People Care About You.
You Are Kept Close In Our
Thoughts And Prayers.
I'm A Neighbor In Cherryhurst,
I Live Across The Street At 2516 #12,I Would See David Daily Outside
Working In His Garage Or Doing His Yardwork Or On His Motorcycle.
"May He Rest In Peace"
Oscar Eaglin
February 6, 2008
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