Thanks for your service to the GDC Dave & Woodie

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Dave and Woodie,
I am both shocked and saddened at the loss of both of you. One of the stabilizing factors in First has been your dedication and creativity on game design and competition ideals. Few know of the great sacrifice you both have given over the past years in this tireless task.
Al

[SteveGPage]

Dave and Woodie,

I, too, want to echo my sincere thanks for your years (actually, decades) of hard work and leadership. FIRST is the way it is because of your efforts and inspiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

*Standing Ovation*

Steve

[Justin Montois]

To say FIRST will not be the same would be an understatement. The entire FIRST community is grateful for your years of dedicated service. I wish you both the best of luck in your future endeavors.

I hope you recognize the impact you both have had on the lives of thousands of students and mentors alike.

This is a sad day.

[Katie_UPS]

Dave and Woodie,

Two of the spunkiest guys that I admired wholly... I can't wait to still see you around.
You guys aren't dead, and thats what makes me happy.

Thank you for serving your [robot] nation. You've done well.

-Katie




. (had to)

[Robyn Needel]

To Dave and Woodie,

Thank you both for your many years of mentorship to all of us, adults and students alike. You have inspired so many of us to get involved in helping to make our individual and collective futures brighter and I appreciate your hard work and devotion to FIRST and young people everywhere.

Many thanks!

[SirTasty]

Dave and Woodie,

You will be sorely missed. Thank you for all of your work over the years, bringing FIRST to where it is today.

[MagiChau]

I am fairly new to FIRST but I recognize the importance of the time and dedication Woodie and Dave gave.
They both took on difficult jobs that some of us would back down from. It is impossible to ignore that there was criticism for their decisions, but nothing is ideal and we all know how thankful we are for these two individuals for bearing with the task and providing the challenges that helped in the inspiration and recognization by kids for science and technology.

[IndySam]

I don't think there is a tougher job in FIRST than being on the GDC.

Thanks Dave Lavery and Dr. Flowers for your many years of work on that committee.

[OZ_341]

The GDC will never be the same with out these two incredible human beings. They were the driving force behind the inspiration of so many students and adults in FIRST.
Thank you a thousand times over for your service to our young people.

Al Ostrow
Lead Mentor
Team 341

[Molten]

Thanks for all the work you've done. I certainly hope that the people that replace you are half the men you are. I hope you enjoy some of the newfound downtime that you truly deserve.

Thanks,
Jason

[GaryVoshol]

I am shocked and saddened at this news as well. I appreciate all the hard work these two dedicated people have given over the years. It can't be easy for them either.

I know I've been a critic of some things from time to time, but I hope that I have always been supportive of the GDC, just not the decision.

Thank you Dave and Woodie for all you have done.

[Tetraman]

Thank you Dave and Woodie for the years of design you have added to each year's game. I have hope that you will continue to be a force in FIRST programs and inspiration to all. Woodie is my hero and whenever Dave speaks I have my face to my computer screen eager to learn.

FIRST has been going though many changes since I started, and changes like these are really scary, but I can't wait for what the future holds for the new GDC and for the roles that Woodie and Dave will still hold in the FIRST community.

The question for me is, can I still pander to Dave for a spot in the GDC?

[Arefin Bari]

Dave and Woodie,

Thank you.

[RoboDawg]

Thanks to both of you for all the hard work and commitment! :

[maltz1881]

I have to say this is the saddest day that I have had in FIRST. To lose both of these fine gentlemen from the GDC will be hard. It will be hard next year to imagine not hearing from Dave regarding the crazy clues we get every year. Words aren't enough to say how thankful the G.R.A.Y.T. Leviathons are to these fine scholars. The kids and mentors look up to both of you as the true definition of Gracious Professionalism. I thank you for everything.