Shelly Aldean: A life well lived: A tribute to David Bash

“A life well lived is a precious gift

Of hope and strength and grace

From someone who has made our world

A brighter, better place.”

— Author Unknown

In the early morning hours of Oct. 15, 2016, many of us in Carson City lost a friend and respected colleague while others lost a cherished mentor and father figure.

David Bash served for three years as the Coach for the Capital City C.I.R.C.L.E.S. Initiative and for three years our program was better for it. After working for the state of Nevada, David and his wife left for Lewiston, Idaho only to return 13 years later to answer our call for a part-time coach, trained in the field of poverty alleviation.

David was a physically imposing person, but remarkably soft spoken. When he first joined our Initiative, I suspect our program participants were a bit wary of and intimidated by his bearded bear of a man but in time they came to love and respect him.

Although tendered-hearted, David didn’t believe in coddling his mentees. He practiced a kind of sympathetic “tough love”— demanding a lot but offering even more in return. He loved the C.I.R.C.L.E.S. Initiative and its mission of promoting self-sufficiency among the working poor and, despite his declining health which often left him breathless and in pain after walking just a short distance, David fulfilled his responsibilities to those he served with grace and dedication. In all respects, his was “a life well lived.”

According to his wife Linda, David’s greatest hope was to live long enough to see the members of the current C.I.R.C.L.E.S. class graduate on Oct. 26th. Although he won’t be there to see this annual rite of passage, every step our graduates take toward a more fulfilling life will be a tribute to his memory.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at 2 p.m. a Celebration of Life for David will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Carson City. His wife asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Capital City C.I.R.C.L.E.S. Initiative at 2621 Northgate Lane, Suite 10, Carson City, NV 89706.

Shelly Aldean is president of Capital City C.I.R.C.L.E.S. Initiative.