We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Dave Touchet, a cherished member of our tennis community.
Dave grew up in Vancouver near the Langara Golf Course, where his lifelong passion for sports first took root. With seven siblings and endless energy, he would often slip onto the course to play one—or sometimes several—rounds a day. His natural talent was undeniable: during his most active years, Dave routinely shot sub-par rounds, and even when he played only occasionally, he remained impressively steady at just 6–8 strokes over par.
A graduate of John Oliver High School, Dave excelled in many sports. He was a gifted baseball player, competing at a high level before later joining slow-pitch teams with firefighters across British Columbia. In his early twenties, he played in Stanley Park tennis tournaments, and throughout his life he also enjoyed squash, racquetball, and competitive ice hockey in the Firefighters League. Though skiing was an occasional pastime, he savored every moment on the mountains.
In later years, Dave became a standout 5.0 pickleball player, competing in tournaments throughout Arizona and earning multiple national gold medals. His athletic versatility and drive were truly exceptional.
Dave is survived by his wife Jane and his son Dane, and his two beloved grandchildren, who live in Whistler. To all who knew him, Dave was a wonderful person—always smiling, always kind, and always bringing warmth to every interaction.
As a longtime member of the WRTC, Dave was a valued tennis friend to many. He played on the WRTC B-1 team for at least four years and was known as a reliable, steady doubles partner. Whether at the 4.0 or 4.5 level, what always stood out was his unwavering positivity and sportsmanship, both on and off the court.
We were all fortunate to share in Dave’s friendship, generosity, and joy for life. He will be deeply missed.
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Jim Couper a published author, is our news writer for WRTC
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