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