Remembering David Weekes
by Dick Tillman
David Weekes passed away this past January due to a quick onslaught of cancer. He was 69 and for a few years prior was pretty much confined to a wheelchair as a result of a stroke. David, affectionately known by his windsurfing friends as B’wanna Dave, served the US Windsurfing Association as Treasurer from 1998-2001, the same term as my Presidency. It was his vision to promote and grow windsurfing by bringing new people into the sport and developing a viable youth training program. He got the windsurfing board of directors to support this goal and achieved it by garnering contributions from corporations, individuals and USWA itself by transferring all uncommitted year end funds to the Junior Development Program. At that time, this totaled $12,000. His idea was an inspiration for other US Sailing classes to emulate. He brought many other talents to the table being the founder of Weekes Construction, Inc., in Greenville, SC.
From a personal standpoint, B’wanna David was a fun loving guy with a great sense of wit, an adventurous spirit and infectious smile. He was a great supporter of the Senior Windsurfing group. He sailed his windsurfer from the Bahamas to Ft Lauderdale at one time with only a support boat, completed the country’s longest river race up the St. Johns River from Palatka to Jacksonville, climbed Mt Rainier, and made several bicycle trips with his wife, Pam, in various parts of the world. And of course, he competed in all the major windsurfing events going on at that time.
B’wanna Dave was an inspiration to many, was a prime mover in the development of US Windsurfing, and will be missed. By remembering his life and his achievements, we can keep his spirit alive.
And from the Greenville, SC newspaper:
David Leon Weekes, 69, husband of Pam Connell Weekes, died Thursday, January 24, 2013.
He was a son of the late David Brown Sanders and Betsy Harris Greene. Born in Louisville, KY, David grew up in Delray Beach, FL, and graduated from the University of Florida. David was the retired founder of Weekes Construction, Inc. He was a huge proponent of Downtown Greenville’s West End and the Caine Halter Family YMCA.
David was known for his unyielding positive attitude, zest for life and new experiences. He never missed an opportunity to recite poetry or tell a crummy joke. David had a great wit and was a pleasure to be with. He traveled the world many times, and was known for his adventurous spirit and infectious smile.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 47 years are children, Chandler and Giselle Weekes, Hunter and Marcia Weekes, and Kendall Weekes-Kellett, all of Greenville; sister, Mary and Mike Letcher of Tuscaloosa, AL; brother, Charles and Priscilla Weekes of San Jose, CA; and five grandchildren, Max Weekes, Adam Weekes, Parker Weekes, Isabel Kellett, and Charles Kellett.