This is the kind of impact Dave Allardice left on kids, like my son, who only got to attended Academy of Tucson Elementary for a couple months as a Kindergartner while Dave was Principal. Dave had a great way of connecting with students, especially those kids who didn't always make a lot of connections on their own.
One of his former students Ed recalls "I
was a quiet and reclusive student, but if there was anyone to break me out of
my shell, it would be Mr. Allardice...during the Carlsbad trip when the bus was full, I remember Mr. Allardice calling me into his office and asking me if I wanted a seat in 'The Man Van'". Siena remembered the first time she met Mr. Allardice, "Before I started at Academy my parents and I had a
meeting with Mr.Allardice. I remember my mom being concerned that I wouldn't
make any friends and I remember Mr.Allardice saying 'We'll cross that
bridge when we get there.' His wise words stuck with me, deal with your
problems as they come".
Dave wasn't just Beniah's principal, he was my Cooperating Teacher when I was a Student Teacher at Challenger Middle School in 2006 and got me my first job at Academy of Tucson Middle School as he entered into his first principalship.
Dave was more than just a mentor for me, he was a great example of what it is to be a man of faith in the workplace. Dave had this big heart and desperately wanted to do the right thing. I remember bumping into him at the Middle School after I had gone on to work at the high school. He called me into his office to inquire about my life, he had a very engaging and humorous small talk, then subtly digging into something deeper. I couldn't resist his genuine nature and revealed I was going through maybe the most difficult point of my life with something at church. There was no, "I hope things get better" or "I'll be praying for you", Dave prayed for me right there in his office. That was the type of guy Dave was.
Jennifer Dool, the high schools office manager, reminded me of how she loved whenever Dave was asked, What's up? or How you doing? He would reply, "living the dream" and how he genuinely meant it. If you knew Dave, he seemed so satisfied, despite the extraordinary energy that went along with his work, to be doing exactly what God had ordained him to do.
This week Christe and I attended the Book Fair Movie Night at the Elementary School and she recounted the same event one year earlier: Christe had been crying as it was the eve of the one year anniversary of her dad passing. She very distinctly remembers avoiding Dave, "because I had been crying and I didn't want to talk to him because I knew he would actually care and I was tired of crying". Despite her best efforts Dave hunted her down after the movie and insisted on telling her about how he thought Beniah was "such a great kid". That was one year ago tonight. One of the last things Dave Allardice ever got to do walking this earth was encourage a hurting mother by exclaiming how great her son was. That was the type of guy Dave was.
I don't know why, but this doesn't seem weird to say, Dave's funeral was incredible. The impact Dave left on the City of Tucson was felt as roughly 800 people were in attendance to celebrate a man who truly 'lived the dream'.
