In memory of David Cave

We are saddened to announce the death of founder member David Cave on Thursday 23rd March 2017 at the age of 77. Last year he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease but he carried on working and attending Rotary until last Christmas. The courage with which he faced this terrible disease was an inspiration to us all. His funeral was held on Thursday 13 April followed by a memorial service at St. Chads church Pattingham, attended by 270 friends, family, Rotarians and members of Inner Wheel.

David Cave (right) receiving the Malcolm Bason award in 2012

He was an industrial and commercial photographer specialising in industrial and architectural photography including documenting the glass industry in Brierley Hill. He travelled the world for companies such as British steel/Corus/Tata, Hotpoint, Cannon and Creda. His photographs recording life in the West Midlands frequently featured in the Express and Star and other local and national publications. He was the official photographer for the visit of Princess Diana to Royal Brierley Crystal works.

David’s photographs at virtually every important event in the History of Tettenhall Rotary Club and for District 1210 are a tangible, lasting testament to the enormous contribution he made to the life of Rotary ever since he joined as a founder member in 1981.  Rarely in the limelight himself, he was always on hand to capture the moment for those who were. For many years he photographed Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra for its annual pre tour concert brochure and numerous GSE teams and other District 1210 events. His commitment to the Rotary Foundation was significant. In 2001 he was so moved by a presentation about the charity Sense International which helps children in India who are both blind and deaf that he undertook a Himalayan trek and raised over £4600. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2001 and Sapphire award in 2013.
His kindness, compassion, generosity, loyalty, sense of humour, sound judgement, steadfast morality and strong sense of right and wrong were very special. His life epitomised the Rotary 4 way test and its motto ‘service above self’. Add to those the courage with which he faced the last year of his life, we have lost an exceptional Rotarian.  Our thoughts and prayers are with wife, Lynne, their daughters Elizabeth and Kathryn, brother Malcolm and sister Anne.