David George Para

David George Para

David Para Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 2, 2006.
Lifelong Boulder, Colorado resident, David George Para, 30, died Sunday, July 30, 2006 with his kindred spirit, Heather McRoberts in a plane accident near Rollins Pass, CO.

David "Dave" George Para was born July 29, 1976 in Chicago, IL. He moved to Boulder, CO in 1979 where he was raised. Dave attended Eisenhower and Crestview Elementary Schools, Centennial Junior High, Boulder High and graduated from September School in 1994. Whether it was flying, hitchhiking or bicycling, Dave traveled extensively in his life. His travels took him to South Central and South America, Tazmania and New Zealand.

Dave had worked as a bicycle courier for a number of years in Boulder, Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. He even worked as a peddle cab in Seattle. Dave also developed a knack for organic farming in California.

Most recently Dave was a tow pilot for Mile High Gliding in Boulder for the past two summers. Flying was his true passion. The treetop flyer had received his commercial pilot's license as well as his pilot certification. He turned 30 years old on Saturday and died in an airplane crash on Sunday, doing what he loved, flying.

Dave was a maverick, gonzo, beatnik, flower child to all who knew him. He really enjoyed being outdoors whether flying, climbing, snowboarding or hiking.

"Dave was there for his friends and strangers just the same. He made it a point to be friendly with everyone. Dave, we will all miss you," his family wrote.

Dave was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Joseph Para. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Paul Para and Jean Fortier of Boulder; mother and step-father, Kathy Zanetti and Martin Stuckenschneider of Louisville; brother, Dan Para; brother Chris Stuckenschneider and sister-in-law, Ronya; his sisters Cordelia and Miranda Para-Fortier.

A celebration of Dave’s life was held 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 4, 2006 at the Scott Carpenter Park in Boulder. The sun was shining as Dave’s family and friends united to share the love that he had shared with so many in his lifetime. As family and friends spoke of all the great memories, Mile High Gliding honored Dave by flying over the park with the three of the same planes that Dave had flown. Everyone who attended wrote something to Dave on paper and attached it to rainbow colored helium balloons and released the balloons together. A reception immediately followed at September School Community House and Dave’s friends continued to the Mariposa house.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests that donations be made in Dave's memory to Mile High Gliding Tow Scholarship Fund, 5534 Independence Rd., Boulder, CO 80301 or to the September School, 1902 Walnut St Boulder, CO 80302, www.septemberschool.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign David Para's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

July 30, 2008

Patty Ferreira posted to the memorial.

May 27, 2007

Ryan Mills posted to the memorial.

November 23, 2006

Kathy Zanetti posted to the memorial.

Patty Ferreira

July 30, 2008

Today is the 2 year anniversary. We had a wonderful hike to the crash site with Dave's family and friends (mom, dan, marty, bre, wakinda, hailey, chris, myself and schmitt). As usual the cookies were wonderful (coconut, choco chip - dave's favorite - and this time zanetti actually saved some for David). We cried, prayed, and scratched our mosquito bites together. Prayer flags made it through the winter. We brought new colorful one's. The site is as beautiful as ever. Dave's presence could be felt before we even got to the parking lot. The hike was wonderful, hot start but then a cold finish with a few rain drops. After lots of snacks and many many hugs, we got into our cars and drove the 14 miles out through the rocky terrain. Happy 32nd Birthday David. xo

Ryan Mills

May 27, 2007

Dave was my climbing, hiking, biking bro. I grew up into this adult world with him. Of course, this world would be much funner if we could be young our whole lives. We can keep that feeling of being young in a safe place. These are some of the memories that keep me going. I think about those times we had and I still dream about those times. Dave is with all of us, I dont know about anyone else but I feel his presence all the time. Its so hard when someone leaves our lives prematurely. Im happy that I have the memories of such a great person. Its sad but you know sometimes you just got to think about Dave's smile and share a little bit of happiness as Dave would and know that its going to be allright. I miss Dave and want everyone who loved him to know that he will always be with us in everything we do.

Kathy Zanetti

November 23, 2006

It's Thanksgiving Day 2006,and I made Dave's favorite cinnamon rolls.
Tho we miss him so, let us all be thankful that we had 30 wonderful years with Dave in our lives.
He will never be gone from our hearts.
Much love to all,
We love you so much Dave....

Mom

Ryan Mills

September 17, 2006

On behalf of Dave and his family, I would like to encourage anyone and everyone to share a memory of Dave here. I hope this web page and guest book allows everyone an oportunity to visit Dave and "you can do it" whenever and wherever you want. It would be good of family and friends to stay in touch always. We miss you Dave!

Dave the Pilot

August 26, 2006

go away...

August 17, 2006

it's contagious

August 17, 2006

when Seitan smiles

August 17, 2006

Davey in the sky with bumble

August 17, 2006

those eyes!

August 17, 2006

Sweet young thing

August 17, 2006

Dave's Family

August 14, 2006

We come into this world crying

while all around us are smiling.

May we so live that we go

out of this world smiling

while everybody round us is weeping.

~Persian Proverb

Aunt Diane Andrea

August 13, 2006

God gave us all a gift when he gave us Dave. He clearly impacted all our lives and we are the better for knowing him. I remember how fun it was to babysit him and Dan and how uncomfortable he was when grandma made him wear a suit coat! Although it hurts so much since he is gone, he does live on in each of us. Things don't last, but people do. And David will live on in each of our hearts. We miss you terribly and love you.

Pat Kilcullen

August 13, 2006

I always admired my cousin David for the way he lived his life, growing up i always remember hearing about all the adventurous things he'd be doing, and I'd think about how that would be the best way to live. It makes me very happy to know that he didnt waste any of his time spent on earth, and he will always be a role model to me. A life as great as his can only lead him to something even better. I'll never forget you Dave.

Caitlin Kilcullen

August 11, 2006

Two winters ago, a friend and I visited Boulder and spent some time with Dave (my cousin). He was so willing to take us hiking, skiing, and in general show us a good time. When I told my friend about his passing, she was visibly upset. Although I already knew this about Dave, her reaction really drove it home for me: Dave was someone who made an impact on everyone, and everyone he met loved him. And more importantly, he loved everyone he met in return. I know we will all miss the kindness he brought into this world. We love you Dave.

Conor Kilcullen

August 11, 2006

David

You will live on in everyones hearts forever. We will all miss you so very much. Thank you for all the fun times we had together and i just wish we could have had more. Thanks for introducing me to chai tea, its one of my favorite drinks now.



Conor

Jackie Kilcullen

August 11, 2006

David

There is only one success-to be able to spend your life in your own way.

Thanks for showing us what's important in living.

We love you and miss you but you'll be in our hearts forever.



Aunt Jackie

Ryan Mills

August 6, 2006

David Para we will miss him so,

and though it hurts, we must let go.

Dave was and always will be

in our hearts and forever free

Free to roam the sky above

Remember him now, Remember the love.

Ken Legge

August 5, 2006

The first time I met Dave was aroung the time that Chris and Ronya were getting married. He was sitting on the couch at a family gathering between Kathy and Marty, so small in comparison, a tad hippie-ish but not unusual since I, too, grew up in Boulder, but also quiet like a mouse. He mentioned some kind of worldly travelling that he was either planning or had just returned from. I thought: "Cool, a world travelling guy much like myself. But those rainbow socks are a little freaky."



Dave, you are clearly the pot of gold at the end.

In my eyes, you earned your wings long before and I wish I had known you better.



Ken Legge

Heather Hosbach

Gwen Altepeter

Andrew Davis

August 4, 2006

I knew Dave during his high school years; he was a good friend of my brother, Adam Davis, who we lost at the end of 2001. I was very young when I knew him, but I definitely remember him vividly. He was like some sort of superhero to me. I'll never forget you, Dave.

Dan Para

August 3, 2006

David was my younger brother. I wish everyone could see where he lived - I was there for the first time just days after his passing, and it was a very humbling experience. Since this spring, he had been living in a shack aproximately 12' by 20' containing a matress, a wood-burning stove and his few cherished possessions.

My one-bedroom apartment is a mansion compared to my brother's home but he was the happiest person I've known.

Dave's life sure makes the 21st century rat-race that so many of us live trivial. Material possesions don't make you happy - doing what you love is what makes you happy.

Dave lived his life as he wanted - there was no stopping Dave from doing what he wanted. He flew tow planes for a living but it wasn't just job for him, it was his passion. He flew whenever he could; before work, after work - even on his days off. When he wasn't flying he was climbing in the summer or snowboarding in the winter. Dave loved the natural beauty of the world.



I think all of us have something we would like to do but haven't because we're worried about the finances, or our jobs, or are just scared to do something out of the range of our normal lives.

If you're reading this, take a lesson from Dave's life and do what you want - what makes you happy.

Dave only spent 30 years on this Earth, but he lived more in those 30 years than most could in 100.



Dave,

I love you. I miss you. I wish you were still here with us. You'll always be in my heart and memories...



Fly on Dave....

August 2, 2006

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Sign David Para's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

July 30, 2008

Patty Ferreira posted to the memorial.

May 27, 2007

Ryan Mills posted to the memorial.

November 23, 2006

Kathy Zanetti posted to the memorial.