David MacIver Loman — known to many as “Dave,” “Dave the Rave,” “Davey Baby,” “Davey Jones,” or “Dirty Dave” — passed away on Tuesday, April 15, at age 37. Born in Randolph on April 11, 1988, and raised in Killington, David brought warmth, laughter, and depth to every place and person he touched, from the slopes of Vermont to the riverbanks of Montana.
David was a gifted athlete. He was crowned Vermont State Champion in the Giant Slalom during his youth. He continued to race at a high level throughout high school and college, ultimately helping lead Castleton State College to its first-ever podium at the USCSA Regional Championships. He went on to place as the top overall Castleton skier at its second-ever appearance in the USCSA National Championships. During high school, he was also a four-year varsity soccer player.
He graduated from Killington Mountain School and Woodstock Union High School and later earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Montana in Missoula.
David’s love of mountains and skiing ran deep — he worked for many years as a ski instructor and race coach and held various roles in ski towns that felt like home to him. In the final days of his life, he shared his desire to return to one. Beyond the ski world, David worked in a multitude of roles: property manager, ranch hand, carpenter, cook, and more. He often worked in service of others’ needs, perhaps even at the expense of his own ambitions. His generosity and magnetic personality were such that he was elected Prom King at Woodstock Union High School, a school he only attended part-time. He also had a knack for hosting trivia nights, keeping the room engaged and entertained with his quick wit and easy charm.
David was kind. He was brilliant. And he was deeply generous. He had a way of offering himself entirely — his time, hands, and humor—without expecting anything in return. He could fix anything, drive anything, ski anything. His mind was lightning-quick, especially regarding puzzles, puns, and crosswords, often solving the NYT Mini in under 25 seconds. He shared a legendary back-and-forth of wordplay with his father, Roy, the two usually speaking for minutes at a time in nothing but puns.
He found joy in the simple things: a well-made eggs Benedict, a bluebird ski day, a classic film, a new novel, a long float down the river, a good joke. He was a lover of Batman, goofy comedies, science fiction, and deeply human dramas. He had a wry and brilliant sense of humor — equal parts witty and silly — and a smirk that could grow into the most radiant, toothy grin you can imagine.
Above all, David loved. He gave of himself so fully that it was sometimes hard for him to save any kindness for himself. He was the kind of person who would drive across a state to help you move a couch, who’d tell you he was “fine” just to keep from burdening you with his own pain.
David is survived by his mother Esther, father Roy, sister Sarah, brother Dan, sister-in-law Becca, nephew Carter, niece Audrey, and his beloved dog Pesto. He also leaves behind many dear aunts, uncles, and cousins. He leaves not only those closest to him but also friends scattered across the country, many of whom now carry a deep and aching absence.
A small gathering was held in Montana, and a larger celebration of David’s life will be held at Killington Resort in Vermont on Saturday, June 14. Details can be found at daveloman.com/memorial.
Those wishing to share stories, photos, or videos can do so at daveloman.com/memories or by emailing [email protected]. Those wishing to donate in his honor can contribute to a foundation of his namesake, available at daveloman.com/foundation.
Though David left us too soon, the love, laughter, and generosity he gave the world endure. May we honor him by showing up for each other as fully as he did—for no reason other than love.
