Dave was born and grew up in the small community of West Liberty, OH. He had dreams of exploring the world beyond his home community, so he began by saving for college by delivering papers. He later attended Goshen College in Indiana for one year until he was drafted. As a conscientious objector, he did alternative service as a health attendant for spinal cord injured patients for two years. He later returned to Goshen College, graduating with a degree in Biology in 1960. He met his wife, Marian, at college and made many life-long friends.