It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Dave Winger, a beloved league member, on the evening of Thursday, September 6.

Dave rolled with us for twelve seasons between 2006 and 2013 -- four as a sub and eight as a full-time member. During that time, twenty-six league members had the honor of calling him a teammate. He was named Most Valuable Bowler twice and was runner-up for that award three times.

December 10, 2013 -- Dave Winger receives his retirement pin. (Click for larger view.)

I had the privilege of rolling on Dave's team during his final season with our league, on the ill-fated GutterFingers (26.5-37.5, 7th place). He was one of the nicest people you could ever meet, and his presence on the lanes was enjoyed by all of us who knew him.

When Dave announced that he would be retiring from bowling at the end of that Fall 2013 season, the league decided do so something special. At our final league meeting on December 10, just before he would roll a bowling ball with us for the last time, he was presented with a bowling pin signed by all of the current league members plus as many past bowlers as we could track down in the short amount of time we had. That night we officially launched the "Dave Winger Gone, But Not Forgotten Award, created to honors those who are no longer with the league but made a positive impact that is still felt.

The Winger family will be holding a private service. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Thank you, Dave, for the time you spent with us.

     -Scott-