On June 20, 2014, the Potomac Chapter lost one of it's finest members. Dave Farris, (LtCdr. USN Ret.), joined the chapter in the mid 90's after purchasing a beautiful 1959 Lark Hardtop. Dave and Nadine were at almost every Chapter meeting and function and were mainstays of the group. In his later years, he served as our Treasurer, while Nadine and their son Mike, managed the membership rolls.
In 1948, at age 17, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where in 1955, his superlative record earned him a chance to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned later that year and that began a long and fruitful career. He served on a Destroyer, but his favorite stories were all about his submarine service. He retired after 21 years.
One of Dave's greatest claims to fame was the Potomac Chapter Route 66 Tour in 2003. The Tour planning took 2 years and Dave & Nadine made a practice trip on their own, in their 59' Lark Hardtop to assure everything would work out. With that, on April 21, 2003, seven couples departed Stevens City, VA for St. Louis, MO to pick up Route 66 to Santa Monica, CA and return. The trip took 28 days and will be fondly remembered by all who participated.
Dave always worked on his own car, many times having Nadine hand him tools and parts, even on the Rt. 66 tour. The last function he attended was the Chapter's 2014 Spring Picnic on June 8 and it was later revealed that he had suffered a heart attack just a few days prior. Shrugging it off, he even drove to the picnic himself. He had another major heart attack earlier in the week of June 20th and drove himself to the hospital. He did not return home.
You can view his memorial service pamphlet here....
In 1948, at age 17, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where in 1955, his superlative record earned him a chance to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned later that year and that began a long and fruitful career. He served on a Destroyer, but his favorite stories were all about his submarine service. He retired after 21 years.
One of Dave's greatest claims to fame was the Potomac Chapter Route 66 Tour in 2003. The Tour planning took 2 years and Dave & Nadine made a practice trip on their own, in their 59' Lark Hardtop to assure everything would work out. With that, on April 21, 2003, seven couples departed Stevens City, VA for St. Louis, MO to pick up Route 66 to Santa Monica, CA and return. The trip took 28 days and will be fondly remembered by all who participated.
Dave always worked on his own car, many times having Nadine hand him tools and parts, even on the Rt. 66 tour. The last function he attended was the Chapter's 2014 Spring Picnic on June 8 and it was later revealed that he had suffered a heart attack just a few days prior. Shrugging it off, he even drove to the picnic himself. He had another major heart attack earlier in the week of June 20th and drove himself to the hospital. He did not return home.
You can view his memorial service pamphlet here....
