Consummate friend, trusted colleague. And passionate golfer

It quickly became evident that we had quite a bit in common. While [Dave Kohler] was born in Richmond and practiced law there, both of us were raised on Long Island. As we talked, we discovered that we were the same age (actually he was six months older, a fact I never let him forget), grew up about ten miles apart, and had competed against each other in high school sports. We started talking about all of the guys we knew in common and all of the great athletes of our vintage against whom we had competed. We talked for hours about all manner of things. At some point, we might have even talked about the law and the job. I don't remember. It didn't seem important at the time; nor does it seem important in retrospect. It's hard to write those words. I suppose I'm still in denial. I refuse to take his number off my speed dial. I still expect him to call and say, as he always did, "Just checking in. What's going on?" Dave was my colleague, business partner, and golf partner, but most important, he was my friend and his passing leaves a void that will not be filled. Dave's first official day on the job was January 16, 1991. I'm certain of the exact date, because it was the first day of the Gulf War. That was the night Bernie Shaw, John Holliman, and Peter Arnett made broadcasting history from a hotel room in Baghdad. Dave and I sat in my office until late that night watching our coverage and talking intermittently with the control room. I knew by the end of the evening that Dave was unalterably intoxicated with his new job. He never had a second thought about whether he made the right career decision after that first day in the office.