A Man Of All Seasons

Dave

2009-03-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

Dave and I had a baby together!

Its not a real baby of course. We grew a business together. He was the yin to my yang. He was the passion behind the food, I the numbers.

He was tall, handsome and wore a long leather coat. Me, I'm short.

He could really yell loudly in a phone... and for a period I dreaded seeing his number roll up on my cell... over and over sometimes... until he got me.

Often times I had to pick up for his own benefit, to calm him down, offer advice, but quite often it was to receive "my lesson".

Dave trained me to be good. He trained me to understand why one box of tomatoes HAD to be picked up in Long Island and driven to Connecticut... with nothing else on the truck.

He loved food. He really loved people, even if with all the drama and stress.

No one could ever ask Dave to do something he didn't think was right for his people... he wouldn't do it.

No one, but Dave, could book 4 meetings, each an hour apart, from Manhattan to Western NJ... and make it to all... late... driving a small Honda CRX 90 MPH, on the shoulder to avoid traffic, with no working seat belts, his boss white knuckled and thinking "Dear God its only fruit we're selling"... and still have his job.

No one, but Dave, could consistently book meetings, in NJ, with no map and no directions save for the window roll down "hey you know where King street is?"... with his boss again white knuckled and ducking... and somehow build a multi-million dollar operation.

No one, but Dave, would drop me off between sales calls in Harlem and say go in there for a minute... and wait for me to walk around St. John's chapel knowing I would come out jaw dropped and thinking what an incredible gift he just gave me... to take a moment and share something I never in my life would have thought to do... or to pull off at "the" sandwich shop in the upper west side.... or "the" italian place in bed sty.

No one, but Dave, would have known the morning Kirstin and I found out we were pregnant after trying for so long... how could he know? Yet, when I jumped in his car to do sales that morning he immediately said "something big just happened to you, did you get some great news or something?"... and that is how Dave knew before anyone else in the family that we we're expecting (even with the stricktest instructions that it was too early to count on this so, don't tell ANYONE)... yet Dave knew.

I never recognized it until he got sick... that Dave weaved into my life in so many ways, even though it was based on business. I love him as a friend and a business partner. We grew something together with our combined skills and passion that would never be the same if we didn't trust each other fully... a trust only earned through honest yelling, screaming, dreaming, awesome highs and gut wrenching lows... to still be standing each week, each year, coming back again and again for almost a decade...

To me Dave IS a legend... I him nothing less than to celebrate his passion, intensity and commitment everyday... and cultivate in others, and in myself

Dave I know you are with me, because I felt it when you began your journey... thanks for touching me on the way out. So as usual I'm on notice from you to not screw this up, and I know how damn high your standards are! So the journey continues with you (now knowing everything... will you be screaming into my dreams?), and I know we will make you proud and that your legacy lives in our daily rituals (it will always be for us "Dave's" route).

As I was lucky enough to tell you these past months.... love you man!

peace,

brian nicholson

Peace

2009-03-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

David passed away peacefully at 7.30 yesterday evening. Emily, my girls and I were with him when he passed, and his parents and Rainer were there during the most of the day and had their chance to say goodbye. We had some lovely moments with David when he woke, and he was aware and happy that he was surrounded by his family. His last day was free of pain, and he was able to find peace and comfort as he slipped away.

We can all take comfort in the fact that David is no longer suffering and his pain has ended. He fought an extremely brave and determined battle with grace and dignity, and we're so proud of him. We're devastated to lose him, but he lives on in all our hearts.

Thank you all again for your love and support, which David has taken with him, and which will give us all great comfort in the weeks and months ahead.

Much love,
Louise and Emily
xxx

PS. We are planning a memorial celebration for David in the next couple of weeks here in New York (hopefully but not yet definitely some time during the weekend of April 3/4/5); we will post details as and when we have them. Also, information about donations and flowers will follow.
Please e-mail Emily the contact information for anyone who might like to attend the celebration: eakannen@aol.com.

David Kannenstine: Our Friend and Mentor - We Will Miss You

2009-03-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

This space is reserved for the memory of our dear friend and colleague, David Kannenstine. A visionary in food and music, David's recent and very courageous battle with pancreatic cancer has swiftly taken him from us; but we will go on with our duties in the way he has pioneered. We are a forever emboldened and a prosperous family industry, largely in part to his efforts over the past 12 years - and we wish to celebrate his life in everything we do here forth. Dave was a man of many seasons, who took the time to work personally with so many individuals, throughout many annual harvests. He was a person of many genuine traits who offered a flavorful persona that was often very kind and spiritual, especially to those who got to know him well.

We will miss you always,
Friends @ Red Jacket Orchards