David Dabov

November 14, 2021, the date this family lost their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and beautiful friend. David Dabov, 83, lost his battle with serious medical conditions resulting from a stroke he suffered in 2013. He died at his home in Redlands, CA, on a Sunday, surrounded by his loving family. He will be forever missed, forever loved.

David is survived, by his wife, Lilli, of 61 years; daughter, Dana Dabov; son, Gregory Dabov, MD; daughter-in-law, Donna Dabov, MD; and three grandchildren: Kristen, David Wm., and Jack Dabov, along with a loving extended family.

David was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 19, 1938, to Sam and Alma Dabov, their middle son. Robert, being the eldest, and Tom the youngest, who all preceded him in death.

The family migrated to California from New York in 1945, and moved to San Pedro, CA., a community that attracted many Croatians…mostly fishermen. It was here where David’s elementary school teachers and family discovered his amazing gift for drawing and painting. His mother encouraged this talent and young David earned numerous awards and ribbons. Once David discovered Athletics, however, Art was put on the back burner.

Sam, David’s father, arrived from Croatia to America at age 17, by himself. He passed on his love of Croatia and its Roman History to his sons, especially David. His greatest love, however, was his new home: America! Throughout his life, Sam, was a Patriot, and the biggest UCLA Football Fan EVER!

David and Lilli loved traveling the world. One of their many memorable travels took them to the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, and its thousand picturesque islands. David was immensely proud of his Croatian Heritage!

In the late 1940’s, Sam Dabov moved his family inland to the San Gabriel Valley, settling in Alhambra, where David excelled on the Alhambra High School Varsity Football team, lettering for 3 years. At age 18, David set a world record doing 5,600 sit-ups in 3-1/2 hours (DETERMINATION)! This feat was highly publicized in newspapers, on radio, etcetera. The story was even televised on a show called, “Ripley’s, Believe it or Not!” Alhambra High School honored David, in 2014, inducting him into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Recruited by the UCLA Football program after graduating from Alhambra, David played with pride, grit, and passion for the Blue and Gold. First String. Right Guard. Jersey Number 66. Again, a 3-year letterman! A true Bruin through and through!

During his time at UCLA, David was a brother in the “PHI KAPPA PSI” Fraternity. He also worked part time in the movie industry doing stunt work, extra work, and a lot of “gladiator work” in films like, “Spartacus” and “Ben Hur.” He appeared in “Young Lions,” with Marlon Brando, and “Judgment at Nuremberg,” with Gregory Peck. David was in Schlitz Beer commercials and appeared multiple times on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” …Having fun and earning money!

In 1960, he married Lilli Hertel (formerly from Germany), a Stewardess, flying for American Airlines. They had two children, Gregory, a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon with the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, TN; and Dana, an Elementary School Reading Specialist in Redlands.

David’s career, after a short stint with the “Oakland Raiders,” and in Professional Canadian Football with the “Hamilton Tiger Cats,” turned to the Hospitality business, precisely in the “Wine and Spirits” Industry. He started with “Young’s Market Company (YMCO),” in 1962-63 quickly moving up the ranks. In 1969, he was transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii, and became General Manager of “Better Brands.”

The family loved the Hawaiian lifestyle, only to be transferred after three years back to “The Mainland” to Rialto, a Young’s Market Co branch in the Inland Empire. That is when, in 1972, the family bought their “Forever Home” in Redlands, CA., a small, charming, Victorian, University town… “Authentic Americana.”

In 1974, David managed the YMCO Orange County branch in Anaheim for eleven years. Young’s then moved him to San Francisco to open a new branch in Northern California.

David decided to leave Young’s in 1985, switching companies, joining “Southern Wine and Spirits,” -- a large competitor of his former employer. Eight happy productive years were spent at “Southern,” in Northern California. Getting to know and enjoy the wine county of Napa and Sonoma was an extra bonus that Lilli (his wife) especially enjoyed.

Young’s Market Company eventually “lured” David, back to Orange County in 1993, right back where he started from. The Dabovs set up house in the apartments at the Balboa Bay Club where they lived for 20 years. Promptly, David became a Six O’Clocker, meaning he went to the gym every weekday morning at 6AM making wonderful and lasting friendships with other Six O’Clockers. After retiring from Young’s in 1997, David turned to other interests: gardening, bible study and art.

David loved being a part of the Orange County “Noble Vikings,” a men’s charity group. He enjoyed being involved and collaborating with these generous men, helping underprivileged children and their families.

At this point, he dusted off his easel that had not been used in 35 years, pulled out his brushes, pencils, and tubes of oil paints reviving his childhood talent: ART! Thus began, the next chapter of his new life.

David joined a small group of painters led by renowned Artist, Corinne West Hartley, teacher, and mentor. He painted with his small group once a week where he grew as an artist and enjoyed the camaraderie. Shortly after, he began painting commissions, had small art shows and exhibits, and was invited to exhibit his paintings at the Orange County Fair’s featured Art Exhibit in 2018!

Sixteen happy years David spent behind his easel, calmly focusing on his work, until 2013, when he suffered his stroke. His perception was compromised becoming more difficult to paint as time went on. David and Lilli gave up “Life on the Bay” in December of 2018. Those last five years living on Balboa Island, on the Bayfront, were magical. It was time to return to their “Redlands Forever Home,” with its large, beautiful flower garden surrounded by snow covered mountains, fragrant orange blossoms in winter, and lots of Sunshine.

David lived out his last years surrounded by his family and loving caretakers at home being nurtured and surrounded by love, until he was called to his Eternal Home, to be with his Heavenly Father…that Sunday, November 14, 2021.

Aufwiedersehen, dearest Papa, until we meet again!

FOTO: Privatni album