gben Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 I have the sad task to inform this great community of the passing of one of the early HDT members of our community. David Czetli had an apparent heart attack and died this morning in his shop in Smyra, DE. David was an early member and bought, converted, built beds etc on several trucks including one of the early flat ground based lifts for a smart car. David was a very bright guy and owned and operated his own machine shop in Delaware for years. David and Ute had just really got the shop back on its feet, had gotten back together and life was really good. Some of you will remember that David built and had 3 trucks at one time. His sone pulled with one, David with another and he built and sold a third complete with very nice beds on all three. David attended many of the national HDT rally and was one of the keys in the formation and holding of the first East Coast rally. I talked to Ute just now and she is still at the hospital but promised to call with more details later. I will update all as soon as I know more. In the meantime please keep Ute and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Gene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 David was one of my first contacts with the HDT community when I first started my research. My prayers are with the Czetli family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barncats Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 So sorry to hear this. Dave had become a good friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 So Sorry to hear of that. Our prayers go out for Ute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocksbride Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Oh no, Gene! Please pass on our concern and condolences to Ute. What a shock. Thank you for alerting us. Ute and family will be in our prayers. Sheri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gell Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Am I assuming correct that this is a.k.a. "Toterman"? If so, my wife and I met him at the 2007 ECR in Gettysburg. He was very outgoing, with a bigger than life personality, and had a great looking rig. He was influential in our decision to eventually get an HDT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Yes Jim. That would be him. I believe that Jim Hicks has one of his trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddshjs Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Thank you Gene for passing on this very sad news. Dave was a great resource and incentive to so many in the early days of the HDT movement. He contributed a lot and worked hard to make our events a huge success. So very sad to loose such a good friend. Ute, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs, Davena and Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Toterman's rig was one of the first that I ever saw. Like others said, him and his posts are what made me start dreaming of my own HDT. He will be missed by many here and my heart goes out to his family. And yes, Jim Hicks owns one of his trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 So sorry to hear this, his truck is what led to me to this fine group, as we chased him down to photo it then I finally located him to chat, turned out he was not far from where we live. Never got a chance to meet in person, my loss, just would like to send our prayers for his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Oh man! Bummer! Losing too many friends and acquaintances these days. Thanks for the heads up Gene and our condolences to Ute. David was an inspiration to all of us. Godspeed Toterman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Never met the man, sorry to hear of his passing, my best to his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDR Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 I remember "Toterman" with his additions to the forum. He will be missed, Godspeed Toterman! Curt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hone eagle Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Never knew him but felt like I did. godspeed Toterman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Again,David's rigs were among the first found with a Google search. He was well in front of the pack, and shared freely of his knowledge. Farewell to a friend from the internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Just a couple of days ago I pointed someone to see if Dave could cut new stencil plates for his steps. It is rough when people younger than you, leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Wow, Our condolences to his family and close friends. After seeing one of his trucks recently, he did a wonderful job on the design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Condolences to his family. Our prayers are with them. A true innovator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budeneighe Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Toterman has left the forum and we will miss his presence for sure. Ute, be safe and well. You two at the first East Coast Rally are our roots as HDTers. Peace to you and your family from Merrily and me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob & Jo's HDT Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Our condolences to David's family during this difficult time. Although we have never met, we have seen many posts on the HDT forum by him, since we started reading all the posts (from Day 1) We lost a great innovator, and he will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyates007 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Out thoughts and prayers will also be with his family. I never met him but bought some fenders and other parts from him. He was extremely fair and went out of his way to make sure everything was to my liking and dare I say advantage. When I offered more money for his excellent service he would not take it. He will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSD_Tweaker Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 David definitely did stand out. David was one of the "pioneers" of this group, innovative, and exuberant. He will be missed, very sorry to hear this news. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLC Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Dave will be missed. He was the kind of guy you could meet once and feel like you knew him forever. Enjoyed the early ECR's Dave put on and had the good fortune to camp next to him and Ute at Sturgis. Always upbeat and positive, and willing to lend a helping hand to every one. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdonlybob Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Oh Gosh, that is a shame. First time we met David and Ute we immediately liked them. Please give our condolences to Ute and the whole family, and may God Bless his soul. Bob And yes, his HDT builds were some real fine and innovative work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Hicks Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Ute, Robin and I are so sorry for your loss. I got a call today from a dear friend and regular here on the forum today to let us know. Ute, you and Dave have been so giving, so generous and have made us feel so welcome in so many ways. Dave, you were truly a PIONEER and will always be remembered as a straight shooter and great contributor. I am proud to call you friend. God Bless. You will be missed. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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