I have written these remarks as I am unable to restrain my emotions. I cannot begin to tell you how diminished I feel. I met Dave when I accepted an invitation by Robert Widmann to assist in the training of SCUBA diver candidates in the UCSC certification program. Dave, Scott Austin, Bill Perett, Anne Rowley, Patrick( a friend of Dave’s) and myself were all in the same SCUBA Instructors certification course administered by James Hicks of NAUI, Doug McDonald and Cal Ponzini. I believe I was the oldest candidate, and Dave the youngest, so a certain amount of the East Field House motto of “Friendship Through Competition” took hold of us, all of us, because we realized that by becoming the most effective educators we could be, we would best serve our clients in exploring underwater.

Though I was ten years older and had taught a number of years, Dave still spiked that advantage with his thorough preparation and effortless enthusiasm for educating others.
By happy chance, I was asked by Dave and Scott Austin to be an assisting instructor for DeDe’s certification class, and I was able to dive with her on one of her first Open Water dives. An intuitive diver is an instructor’s joy, and I remember she maintained the buddy system while enjoying the exhilaration of exploration on SCUBA. I think she said she was from near King City. I believe she was teaching, though perhaps not yet with Santa Cruz County schools. I do remember knowing DeDe and Dave seemed made for one another.
This particular class was an overnight beach campout south of Point Lobos, one of the many legendary campouts that Dave made  whether in California, Baja or elsewhere. I am sure you all who participated remember, the warm camaraderie, the great food, stories and songs.

Though our paths diverged, we still saw one another, such as at Uncle Woody Kenney’s in Florida where Luke and my son Will met and played when toddlers. Dave and DeDe prospered with their talents, their industry and their love for life. They continually found ways to better themselves and the world for those around them.
I have had enough run-ins with the deity to know that sometimes the most important questions are not easily answered.

I will accept that the deity had reason to take this best and good family from among us, but in accepting I must also take up the challenge, that of bettering myself and the world for those around me, as these generous souls effortlessly gave of themselves to others.
I ask that sometime you raise your glass and think about what is on the other side, an entire world to be explored. Like putting on the mask and lens, we are transformed from swimmers into underwater explorers and aquanauts. I urge you to carry on with Dave and DeDe’s work, Luke and Ryan’s legacy, and make the world a better place for our having been here. Finally, I remind you of Dave and DeDe’s invitation to join them and the family in their work and lives:

“Let’s go play!”

Above – In honor of the Houghton family, a toast from family friends off lighthouse point after the spreading of the ashes – left to right Patty Hopp, Laura and Ron Perron, Vickie Wick, Sue Laccabue and Sue Holt.

Thank you, everybody who joined us at lighthouse point.  Here is the poem that was read to the family and over marine radio by Meredith, Andy’s (DeDe’s father’s) wife:

Luke and Ryan
DeDe and Dave
I believe have left their legacy
A path for us was paved.

–

Of live that gave to others,
So natural and so pure,
Reflections of today
With friends and family here.

–

To live our live with service,
Adventure, promise, strength,
Family, friends, love, respect,
To always seek the length.

–

Living life together
Here on earth with love,
Leaving altogether
To continue up above!

–

The comfort I feel now
I believe to be true,
As I look across the river.
Seeing four lives anew.

–

Swimming with the dolphins,
In a clear, blue sea,
Laughing, loving, sharing,
For all eternity.

Poem by Paul Martinus (his friend Vickie Brinnan helped him) and he has been a lifelong friend of the Anderson family and was a partner in business with Andy for many years.  He is a native of Lockwood one of the original old families there.  He has many memories of DeDe from a very young age and was always “Uncle Paul.”

Note from John:  The family loved dolphins.  They were magic.

All I have to say is that the loss is incomprehensible.  I wake up 20 times a night, sweating, struggling, and thinking of them.  I never stop thinking of them.  I see them in my dreams.  Intellectually, I know that they’re gone, but emotionally, it’s just not possible.  I love them so much.  I miss them so much.

Above – The Chardonnay II off of Light House Point in Santa Cruz as we prepare to spread the ashes of David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan Houghton who died in a plane crash on July 7, 2011.  Photo by Sky Merritt.

Comment submitted by Derek regarding scattering of the ashes and I decided to include it as a blog post.

It was a foggy morning the sea was calm the water had a beautiful unusual emerald color, as we watched the Chardonnay II sail out of the harbor and toward us as we stood up on West Cliff by a dive flag with wonderful pictures of the Houghton family along the railing in front of us. The Chardonnay II came to a stop right out side the kelp bed at a rather flat Steamers Lane. We shared stories, some laughs and many tears.  I had my marine radio tuned to 68 as did enough others  when a beautiful heart felt poem was read from the ship and we could all hear it.  The poem ended in tears on the boat and on the shore. We all watched in silence as the boat turned port side and the ashes were spread off the stern,the only sound to be heard were the sea lions on seal rock and one person in our group beautifully humming Somewhere Over The Rainbow. I watched the Chardonnay II sail toward Blacks point before it returned to the harbor. I didn’t want to leave somehow – this felt so final. Those of us in our AquaSafaris shirts seemed to gather around Doug’s van (we all new he always had cookies and sweets) we told some stories about David, DeDe, and the boys, and eventually parted ways. I listened to Brother Iz’s version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow as I drove home, it was almost to much.

Thanks for sharing, Derek.

Above – A shot of the crowd that had gathered onshore to tune to channel 68 and watch the scattering of the ashes.  Thank you all for commemorating the family.  Photo by Laura Perron.

Above – Clark Maki, Jon Gamble, and Forrest Cook.  Surfers, loyal friends and devoted employees of David Houghton at A+ Environmental Solutions.  Thank you all for commemorating the family.  Photo by Laura Perron.

Above – Fellow diver and friend of the Houghton’s, Ron Perron as he and his wife Laura (also a good friend) watch the scattering of the ashes from a nearby sailboat with friends. Notice picture of the Houghton family to the lower right.  Thank you all for commemorating the family.  Photo by Laura Perron.