Birth date: Jul 27, 2019 Death date: Oct 5, 2019
David Carl Plainer, 58, born in Connecticut on July 27, 1961, died October 5, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Read Obituary
Dave, I will always remember jamming with you, you playing bass, Glenn on drums, and myself on guitar, in your cellar, God bless you,
I will always picture Dave with that huge, HUGE smile and occasional shake of his head, or toss of the long hair he used to have. He was easily the Bright Star wherever he was. So humble, with SO much talent and creativity.
I spoke to Laurie yesterday, returning her message while I had been out of the country and had no idea of Dave’s passing.
But having grown up with Laurie and as a dear friend of the family, this is to share in remembrance of what moments we have had with Dave in our lives. My condolences reach out to all the family, co-workers and friends that loved and are surely missing this amazing man we had hoped to spend more moments with.
My sincere condolences… I was very shocked and saddened to hear that Dave had passed. He was one of the nicest guys, always great to be around. I considered him a true friend. I first met Dave back in 1988 working at Expo88 in Australia. He and I were the technical leads on several Laser systems installed there. I Spent most of that year working and hanging out with Dave. We had some great times partying there in Brisbane. I went on to work with Dave through 2008 designing, building, and installing Lighting and Laser entertainment systems. Dave was a valued part of the team, vary organized and good at getting things done. Time and time again Dave was always there to lend a helping hand on most any project that was going on in the shop..
Dave was also a talented musician. He had a 5 string Bass (that he made himself) and he played it well. For several years I played guitar with Dave and the guys in the Just like That band Again a lot of good times and great memories.
I Hadn’t seen or talked much with Dave for several years. The last time I spoke with him he said he was selling his things and moving to Salt Lake City to be with his girlfriend. I was sad to hear he was leaving but could understand his reasoning. I Had no idea of the tragic turn of events that subsequently transpired in Dave’s life. Its most sad that none of his friends were around to console and foster a different outcome . It is hard to believe he is no longer with us. I can say it was a pleasure to know and work with Dave. His great personality and positive spirit will be sincerely missed by us all. God bless you Dave.... RIP
Pat Conlin
My heart is filled with sadness. I went to high school with Dave and I remember fondly the good times back then. Dave was always the happy guy who just made you happy being in the same room. The jam sessions, the Mach one, and the wiring help on my car. Always there when needed. Rest In Peace.
There is simply no way that I can adequately convey the loss I felt when I heard of Daves passing.
Dave worked with Jim and I at PPS for nearly 30 years, and he was instrumental in so many of our projects that I can’t count them all. Our company built the laser effects systems for Expo 88 in Brisbane, where Dave lived for over a year. We built similar systems for the Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris, and Tokyo, and for Universal Studios in Orlando and Osaka, and for many other attractions. Dave built practically all of these systems, and helped with the installation of many of them. To say that he was instrumental in our success would be an understatement. We are a family business, and Dave was a key part of our working family without a doubt.
I also consider myself fortunate to have been a part of Daves musical family as well. He built his custom aluminum bass here, and played with the “Just Like That” band locally for several years. Watching him wring impossible note combinations out of his bass with those giant hands is something you don’t forget, and playing with him was a joy and an adventure at the same time.
I can’t say that I was part of Daves true family (although it was a near thing, as my brother Jim and Daves sister Laurie were close years ago), but between the working and musical families, Dave was a very big part of my life. I started missing him when he stopped playing about two years ago, and even more when he left in January to relocate and retire in Utah. I’m so sorry that what should have been a long and happy chapter in his life turned out to be so sad, and so tragically short.
My sincere condolences to Daves family, and to all of those who knew him, and loved him as I did.
I met Dave about 25 years ago. I would go to the shop in Cerritos and play music with Carl and the guys. All of those guys are good people. Dave and I would hang out a lot and go out to eat, go to concerts and many other things. Dave was a sweet guy. Extremely smart and had such a great sense of humor. I remember early in our friendship I was buying a new drum set, it was expensive. I put it on layaway. After a while Dave said let’s go and get your drums, I will put the balance on my credit card and u can pay me off. I never forgot that. He trusted me to pay him and he didn’t know me that long. Over the years our lives went in different directions and I didn’t see Dave that much. The last time was about 6 months ago at the shop. Same good old Dave. Had a few laughs and talked about the old days. Little did I know it would be the last time I saw him. It breaks my heart that his life came to such a sad ending. I so wish someone could have been there to comfort him and keep him from ending his life. I’m still in shock. Can’t believe I will never see him again. God bless you my brother. I hope and pray that you are in gods hands. RIP!
You were our gentle giant, who would rather laugh than fight. Feeling things more deeply than you’d ever admit. As kids, you would entertain us all with your sound effects and renditions of comedy routines from the back seat of the car rides, having us all laughing. In middle school you amazed us when you built a robot that moved by remote control, using photosensors. That home project made the newspapers, and we knew your talent was in electronics and all things technical. When I was working on the music for the high school play and needed a drummer, you -- who were only in 8th grade -- filled in better than anyone who tried out in high school. Music became a part of your life, transitioning to bass guitar, playing with many musicians, friends and bands --music was always a source of joy. You received commendations for your work and efforts at both Sikorsky and Rockwell. Wherever you went, you made friends fast. As I walked behind you leaving the Expo site one night, a hundred people said goodnight to you. By name. You had only been there 2 months. 8 years ago, you met Donna, and found the love of your life. Retiring to Salt Lake together, you looked happy and well; no one could know then that a month later she would be taken by cancer, and a month after that you would follow. Your light has left us, but we keep you in our hearts and miss you deeply. The world isnt the same without you brother. All my love, Laurie
I was deeply saddened to hear of Dave's passing. I went to high school with Dave and have such fond memories of him and the fun things we did. From working on the Sunbeam Alpine in his garage, to the many " jam sessions" in the basement, and of course many a midnight at The Rocky Horror Picture Show!
Dave was the type of person who genuinely cared about you and wasn't afraid to show it. I remember him always laughing, smiling, and making others happy. He was so very talented as well, from his music, to electrical, to cars, they guy could do just about anything!
Although I lost touch with Dave after high school, I always hoped he was doing well and was happy. I will miss this gentle giant and will hold all these happy memories close to my heart. I was truly blessed to be part of his life and to have had him as a friend.
Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.” – Hebrew Proverb
May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Lori Dietman Thompson
