A little late this year, but he is still much loved.

I still have wonderful memories of hiking with David and the girls. He was a wonderful man❤️

Still miss you. You are always in my heart.

Still miss you. You are always in my heart.

I first met David, and his family, waiting for a 1 AM flight from Truk(Chuuk) to Palau on a diving trip. I didn't know any of the family but just was sitting in the Continental waiting room watching this guy "negotiating' with the ticket agent. It was David attempting to get a refund, or something like that, on lost dive equipment, etc. This went on for quite a while with no end in sight until time came for boarding. As luck would have it, Peter, Hanna and the 3 boys were on the same dive boat with me for the next week. It was here that I mentioned to Peter that David should now be known as the "negotiator". The name fit. Several years later, the whole Palecek family was diving at Coco View Resort in Roatan. David was at it again! I have a picture somewhere (to be found later and posted) of David in 'discussion' with the head of Dive operations on why he didn't need to use a BCD and that his apparatus was just as good as a BCD. The 'negotiator' did not succeed on this occasion. Just two small examples that stood out to me as to how forceful, determined and energetic David was in presenting his points of view. Mature WAY beyond his years Sandy Alexander 2-17-20

Have so many warm and loving memories of time spent with David. Thinking of his family today. Hugs to all of you. ❤️

This still seems so unreal ... and so sad. Remembering all the happier times & amazing memories we have of David. Love to you all. The Jordans.

Remembering David today and rejoicing in the wonderful girls he left behind. He'd be so happy to know how well they are doing. He is still sorely missed. Aunt Blakeney

On the second anniversary of the loss of David, I remember so vividly how clearly he always demonstrated his love for his family. It was constant and clear. He is dearly missed. Aunt Blakeney

I knew Dave at UC Davis, and then when I spent time in Prague after graduation. He was so helpful as I was navigating the new city, patient as I tried to learn the language and customs, and nice as I tried to find friends...I regret losing touch with him after I returned to the US, and will always have great memories of him. I just learned about this today and am so saddened by this loss, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his beautiful family. Sara(Brown) Lee

It is unimaginable to me to lose a child. My heart goes out to you, Peter, and to the rest of the family. --Mike Smith, MBA 1971.

I remember when Dave had an accident on his moped on the way to Water Polo practice, must have been around 1989? He was back in the pool in no time. I just assumed he would recover similarly this time around and feel a loss for his passing.

We first met David in 1973 when we stayed with Peter and Hana in Lausanne. We remember David sleeping in a sheepskin lined hammock, slung between pine trees, while we skied with Peter and Hana. In 1977, after they had returned to Palo Alto and were living on University Avenue we visited them with Sarah, just after Tom was born. Over the years we've spent many happy weeks at Mesa Court with the Palecek family, and watched the boys grow up. Though often from afar, we have followed David's many achievements with great admiration, and we felt very priviledged to be able to share in the celebrations of his marriage to Melissa. David has achieved so much in his short life and I'm sure he has been an inspiration to all who knew him. You are constantly in our thoughts and we feel so sad for you all. We send much love to you all, Melissa and your daughters, and to Peter, Hana, Misha and Tom, in your terrible loss.' Tim, Helen, Sarah and Lucy

Dear David, fellow ski patroller and adventurer. Wish we had done more things together. I hope there are snowy mountains and shining seas in Heaven. Don Shockey

Our love and best wishes go out to David's family. We met in grade school and continued as friends through Menlo Atherton. Garrett Gafke

David was a great high school friend. He always joked that we Czechs had to stick togeter- quick with his wit and smile. I was fortunate to see him years later in a restaurant in Arcata on Thanksgiving. It was really strange- 300 miles north of the Bay. He looked the same as the day we graduated M-A in 1990. Zitra bude lepsi den.

I first met David after an economics class at Stanford where I'd just given a totally stupid answer-- he came up to me and offered to sit with me and take me through some of the material to help me catch up. It was very sweet and very caring. After that I came to also know his goofball grin and great attitude-- when David was around you just felt like the volume had been turned up in the world and fun was about to be had. What a great guy-- and what a great loss.

I'll always remember David from our first week at the Stanford GSB, in awe of his ability to enter a room of strangers and exit with a room of friends. He never hesitated. Even though I had just met him, I felt like he was committing to our friendship. If I said, "I like to ski", he would do more than say "me too", and instead not let me leave the room until we figured out when we would be skiing together. He brought that integrity to everything he did, big or small. We did go skiing in Tahoe a few weeks later, where I will always remember chasing him down a foggy double-black diamond, led only by his hoots and laughter. "That was crazy!", he said at the bottom, "let's do it again!" And we did. My last encounter with David was a few years ago, when I had the chance to meet he and Melissa at a McKinsey-sponsored function. We had recently found out, much to our surprise, that our first child was on the way. Their excitement for us was palpable, and we loved hearing them talk about their girls. I'll miss you, David, and I thank you for all of your energy and enthusiasm.

I met David through my husband, Nic, a classmate of his at the GSB. I will forever be touched by his amazing smile, infectious laugh and dynamic personality. We saw him whenever work brought him to NYC, and it was always great fun. He spoke lovingly of his girls- Melissa and his beautiful daughters, and this also made me appreciate him all the more. The world has lost a very special individual- David, may you be laughing with the sinners and the saints.

I knew Dave both at the GSB and at McKinsey. I remember, in both cases, that Dave was able to crack jokes, make you smile, and generally have a good time, even when the topic or event might not be all that exciting (for example, sitting in accounting class, or building an excel model). Dave had the ability to still be thinking at the sharpest level, while enjoying himself and caring about others around him. I can picture him smirking at me and others across the room in class at the GSB and regaling us with his tales of skiing after class. When we were staffed together on a client in Boise, whenever Dave and I were in the team room together, he always made me smile or laugh during what could be intense times. What I respected most about Dave, however, is that he stood apart from the pack - he wasn't afraid to do his own thing, or say what he felt...an unusual quality, I find. We were very lucky to have known him. - Heather Gaillard

I cannot believe the news that I read this evening on the alumni web-site. David was my EM for eight months on two successive engagements while we were serving a retail client. I have always considered David to be my “consulting guru”. He was a great leader and had a certain dynamism that rubbed off to all the people who worked with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this hour. Rohit Singh - India

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Palecek family. It is so hard to understand the loss of a young, vibrant life such as David's. May the pain of your loss be cushioned by the joy of many wonderful memories of times with him. Helen Schattel

David's memorial and reception details: Date: 3/14/2010 Time: 11:00am (Service with reception to follow) Location: Arrillaga Family Alumni Center(Stanford Campus) Please rsvp to Misha Palecek: misha.palecek@davita.com

View life by smiles, not by tears. View age by great moments, not by years.

If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you. -Winnie the Pooh

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy. ~Author Unknown

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28