That 5’ 3” chap behind the “Used Computer and Peripherals For Sale” table at our monthly meetings is Mark David—a most unusual man. Mark was born 78 years ago in South Wales, United Kingdom, in the small Welsh town of Merthyn Tydfil in the Jewish community, which was an integral part of the overall Christian Methodist population.

His advanced education earned him a Bachelor’s degree in architecture and a Masters Degree in City Planning. He spent his early working years as a city planner in England. In 1956 he immigrated to Canada, and in 1960 to the great USA where he practiced city planning in Rhode Island, California, South Carolina, Florida and Jamaica. In Jamaica he worked on a three-year project, officially designating beach areas for public, private and fishing use--an accomplishment of which he is most proud. However, he regrets spending his career in city planning rather than architecture. Before he retired he worked 10 years in Boca Raton and five years in Riviera Beach planning departments.

Mark is divorced, and has two grown children living in South Carolina. Since his retirement, he has kept busy in volunteer work and his hobbies, which includes studying Roman history and collecting black glass bottles and ancient battle swords and helmets. He is qualified as a volunteer Coast Guard auxiliary crewman, radio operator and vessel examiner, and works for the Delray Beach Police Marine Patrol. He also earned a single engine pilot’s license, and is a qualified scuba diver.

He recently learned to play the bagpipes, which earned him the right to place on his business card: “Bagpipes played by the only Welsh-American-Jewish piper in the world.” Presently he enjoys teaching bagpipes to the student band at St. Andrews School.

When asked what notables he admires and what characteristics he likes in people, he replied, “Julius Caesar, Martin Luther King and Golda Meier. I relate favorably to people who come across with honesty, directness and a sense of humor.”

“BRCS is doing well,” says Mark, who has served on the Board, in response to the question “How can we improve BRCS?” “The current Board is doing a fantastic job managing a rapidly growing organization. I suggest they have more Q & A’s and SIG sessions dedicated to novice computer users.”

Make a note: “If you need a bagpiper for funerals, weddings, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, Mark David will perform whatever-wherever, with amazing grace”—according to this most unusual man’s business card.

NOVEMBER 2003