David Davies
June 20, 1926 - November 11, 2008
Loving Husband of Sue, and Father of Howard!

On Tuesday morning at 11:00 am on November 11, 2008, David Davies passed away. Present when David passed was his beloved wife Sue and family members at his home.

I came to know David in January 1997, when I attended the Kite Trade Show in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Walking down the beach that fateful January day, I saw a kite from a distance that instantly drew my attention… it was a Skydancer Black Rainbow quad line kite, with long flowing 45’ matching tube tails. The way the kite flew, and interacted with the flier’s input and control was truly amazing. As many fliers gathered around David Davies to talk with him about this new flying machine, they anxiously waited to have a go at flying it. When I finally had my turn at the controls of the Skydancer, it was nothing like I had ever flown before. I fell in love with the kite, and needless to say, I left Clearwater Beach with my very own Skydancer.

Over the next few months, I kept in touch with David, and started talking with him about sharing the joy of flying his kites with others in the US. And in the years to follow, I had the privilege of getting to know David as a business associate, a fellow kite flier, and most of all as a good friend. David had traveled to the US to promote his kites on only 4 occasions, but everyone who has ever flown, or had the pleasure of watching his beautiful kites dancing in the sky has felt his impact.

While visiting David and his wife Sue at their home in August of 2003, I had the chance to see a different side of David, as I had the chance to meet family members … One of a loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather. I also came to know that David had served in World War II, as a Glider Pilot. David was also an accomplished professional commercial photographer, which was his lifetime career before retiring. In the early ‘90s, David found a new love, and that was of kite flying, and making his Inter Active Kites, such as the SkyHawk, SkyEagle, Spectra, Enigma, Fijet, Bat, Ghost, Swift, his most famous Skydancer and many more.

David Davies was a dear friend and I will miss him very much, along with the many who have had the pleasure to get to know him throughout the years. My sincerest sympathy goes out to his wife Sue, and to all of David’s family members. Although David is no longer here on Earth with us, I know that David will live on through his kites, and in the hearts of many. David was 82 years young!

In loving memory of you David!

Your friend over the pond,

Con Engels

Anyone wishes to send condolences; here is info for David’s wife:
Sue Davies
36 Lawrence Drive
Ickenham, Uxbridge
Middlesex UB10 8RW
United Kingdom

Special Note:
Anyone wishing to share memories of David Davies, or wishing to send photos of you with your kite(s) made by David, please feel to e-mail me and I will make sure that I post them to this special page dedicated to David!

Thank you to all who have replied, regarding David's passing! He will be missed by many!

Good Winds & Great Flying,

Con Engels

"Skyhawk flying David"
Treasure Island, Florida (AKA Convention, October 2000)

SkyHummer lead kite, stacked with 5 Skydancers.
(photo by Kay Engelsiepen)
The SkyHummer was the last kite that David Davies made before he passed away!
David's memory will live on, as we continue to fly his beautiful flying works of art!

I was greatly saddened to hear of David's passing. I had the honor of sharing many kite arenas with David in the UK and in the USA. We both had a common goal, which was to enjoy every minute doing what we both loved to do, that was to fly, and when there was no wind we would chat about our travels and experiences. I will surely miss him! But knowing when I am flying amongst the clouds and blue skies around the world I know for sure David will be looking down giving me the thumbs up sign and saying Good Stuff Ray, as he always did when he watched me perform.

Ray Bethell
Vancouver BC Canada
Con Engels & Ray Bethell at AKA 2007 Nationals
Photo by Kay Engelsiepen

God Bless
Charles Stewart
NewYork NY, USA
High Spirits of 14B
www.letsflykites.com

Lee Sedgwick
Erie PA, USA
Lee & David at Ocean Shores WA, AKA Convention 1998

My 2nd Skydancer was a custom purple and white that my husband, Jay, wanted me to get to mark our 10th anniversary. Purple and white were our wedding colors. When it came in the mail I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. I still smile every time I see the bottom corner personalized and signed by David. When the tails are put on, the Skydancers never fail to get smiles and finger-pointing from people in the vicinity. It is a great gift and legacy that David has given to all of us.

I hope his family is warmed by the thoughts and memories kiters around the world share for David.

Tina Bushey
Belleville IL, USA
See more photos from Tina below...
PS from Tina: My kite club used photos of members' kites to create a stylized image to go with the official club logo. The stylized version used a Skydancer. (NOTE: This stylized image shown in the gallery below)

Thank you Tina, for the photos!

To me David was the Peter Pan of kites…Perennially young at heart and totally enthused with his passion for his designs. He was always thrilled to receive constructive criticism, and ever eager to consider new designs for his kites. He was, like his designs, unique and unforgettable. Personally he was generous and a truly entertaining character. Those who knew him well, will feel the light of the world noticeably dimmed by his passing.
Mike Armstrong
Dr Mike
A friend (fromCheshire, UK)
Skydancer Enigma, made by David Davies
(SkyWarrior graphics designed by Mike Armstrong)

Thanks, Mike! For Hosting David's home page for all those years!

---

I am very sorry about the passing of David, its a real loss for the kiting community.
Nelson Borelli
Woodstock IL, USA
Photo by Dave Shattuck - aka "geezer"
Nelson Borelli's "Hot Pink & Yellow" Skydancer (purchased directly from David Davies at a AKA convention)
Note: (from Dave Shattuck)... This shot, taken from the current issue of Kitelife shows Nelson Borelli on the right and Luis Claris Skoczdopole on the left. The third person in the middle is Gustavo Di Si, who was flying the Skydancer in demonstration for the other two men. The location is along Paseo de la Costa (literally, "The Road along the Coast") in Vicente Lopez, the suburb just north of the city of Buenos Aires. The water shown behind the subjects is the Rio de la Plata, which is a huge estuary that separates Argentina from Uruguay.
Note: (from Con Engels)... While at AKA convention in Gettysburg, Claris purchased a Black Rainbow Skydancer for Gustavo. Gustavo, is an accomplished multi-line, multi kite, and indoor flier. He has inquired about flying the Skydancer indoors. I look forward to helping Gustavo in his quest for indoor Skydancing!

---

I send sympathy & strength to you at the loss of a good friend!
Gayle Woodul
Marble Falls TX, USA

---

That is sad. His kites always brought a smile. My prayers are with him.

John Chilese
Las Vegas NV, USA

Dave Cathey
Spring TX, USA
Photo of Dave flying his Skydancer
PS- from Dave (Regarding the above photo): That is one of my favorite photos of me. That kite is special since I bought it right after my Mother passed and somehow when I fly it, I feel she can see me flying it, so I give her a show.
(photo by John Chilese)

Thanks John, for the photo!

Bill Schumacher
Alto MI, USA
Photo of Bill with all 11 of his kites, hand made by David Davies!
(Photo by Lynn Schumacher)
See more photos from Bill in the photo gallery below...
PS: (from Bill)- Just looked at the photo tribute page and the wonderful comments. It looks great !!!! The photos of your mom's kite were super. As the last kite David made, it tells the whole story about his talents in graphics and blending of colors. It was good for me to see all my kites together. I do remember each of them as being a unique extension of a top kite designer and builder. When they were all together, I was more than proud to be the owner of many one-of-a-kind. I do fly them only under ideal conditions and always tell anybody that will listen, about David.

Eddie Sprouse
Charlotte NC, USA

Photo by Kitelife (used by permission)
Jim Podlasek, Con Engels & Kay Engelsiepen
FlyMart AKA Convention 2006

---

I finally came across my shots of Dave and a few of his kites from AKA Treasure Island 2000. I remember Con introducing me to Dave as "that guy who was buying so many of his kites" and then Con went off to fly his 6 stack. Dave started pulling kites out of his bag, setting them up, and encouraged me to test fly them. After about the 4th kite, Con landed his stack, came over and said "Dave, you've been holding out on me". I hadn't realized that Con had never seen some of these kites he was letting me fly. My first Skydancer (Rainbow with tails) is still my favorite. I still am very protective of my Fearsome Hawk that Betsy finally gave me permission to buy. And I still marvel that her brother, who couldn't keep a Beetle in the air for 10 seconds was flying a Fijet prototype without the tail. Dave will long be remembered for his marvelous kites.
Rick Agar
Cincinnati OH, US
Photo of Rick's "Red Rainbow Skydancer"
Photo by Betsy Agar
See more photos from Rick & Betsy in the photo gallery below...