In Pequot Lakes, Minn., on July 4, 1943, while most families were celebrating the birth of a nation, the Lindberg family celebrated the birth of a son, fondly known to all of us as Dave, Purple Papa, and Sexy Old Goat!
Dave, who had a larger-than-life personality, was an enthusiastic piano player. One of his sons described his style as “flamboyant.” It was full of gusto and energy, and made you want to get up and dance. And if that somehow didn’t get your attention, he finished each piece with a glissando (a rapid series of ascending or descending notes on the musical scale). He could electrify the room.
His honesty, friendship, and love came out of him right away when I first met him and he showed me and that is why we became really, really good friends. He was a great man and is still in my heart.”
-Manuel Brito
Dave’s entire personality was electric, from his purple wardrobe and hats and his poses in the millions of pictures he left for us to remember him by, to the passion we felt when he spoke for his union and his beloved caregivers.
Dave was always speaking out for us and standing up to injustices. He stood up for workers’ rights, advocated for client’s rights, spoke out for the LGBTQ community of caregivers, was a voice for parent providers, and was not afraid to tell the union to pay more attention to them. Dave thought everyone’s rights should be considered equally.
Even when life was incredibly hard, Dave was upbeat. He seemed to be everywhere SEIU 775 was doing the work that held us together, made us stronger, and gave us hope.
When Dave was willing to go out to places that were frightening to me and meet with groups who were anti-union, it inspired me, made me more determined. I came to understand that, for Dave, it wasn’t all hard work-–it was work of love. Love for his union and his union brothers and sisters. Dave loved all of us.
Dave loved to chase down the ice-cream man to buy ice cream for his grandkids. He had a caregiver’s heart for all around him. He believed in the mission SEIU stood for and he was about making things happen.
-Denese Garcia-Wallace
Dave’s financial situation, like many caregivers, was meager. But he eagerly gave his time and energy to do all this work, for little or no pay, for the hope it would bring benefits that he knew he might not live long enough to have. He was happy that others in his situation would someday enjoy them.
He didn’t worry about taking risks, being shut down or seeming foolish. He was the only man I know who could wear red velvet pants with style!
Dave shopped the secondhand stores for purple apparel, finding bracelets, shoes, socks, shirts, jackets, and pants in deep purple. And he wore them all elegantly. I guess you could say purple was Dave’s “brand.” At one time he had intended to paint his house purple. He even had the paint! That is how much Dave loved supporting his union and proudly displaying its color!
He was multi-talented, from inspiring words to a great piano player, singer, and dancer, too. I loved the meetings that had a piano nearby. He made those the most fun, and boy, could he dance! He’s probably in Heaven dancing now.
-Rhonda Paul
As a young man Dave learned to cook in the Army and later worked in several Snohomish County restaurants where he cooked and often played the piano. Dave’s daughter, Crystal, remembers going into Mom’s Restaurant in Marysville and eating when her dad was cooking.
He was a great piano player but he also sang professionally, performing in plays and starring as Auntie Mame in the musical “Mame.” He was also a team leader for the Boy Scouts, a coach for the Special Olympics, and a volunteer in schools teaching music.
As long as I knew Dave, I continued to find out things Dave had done and of his many talents. He amazed me constantly and still does. I miss Dave in every way, especially not being able to call him and say, “Hey Dave, got a minute? Can I run this by you?” Many of us did that often.
We honor him with the work we continue to do. And when we can, we muster the gusto Dave had when he did it.
About Eva: Dave was my friend, my union brother and fellow Parent Provider. We worked side by side advocating for people with disabilities for the sake of our children and their future.
Read more about Dave’s work
