Dave was a resident of Cokato, Minnesota, and began carving in 1978 and studied the classical Acanthus style with noted Norwegian carvers and Dovre graduates. Using mostly basswood or butternut, his carvings range from traditional Norwegian kubbestols, to caricatures, reliefs and carousel horse restorations.

In 1994, Dave completed his largest sculpture, a 12-foot high, 3000-pound bronze elk for the Best Western Antlers Motel in Glenwood Springs, CO

Dave received the 1990 Gold Medal for Excellence in wood carving awarded by the Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa, as well as many first place awards in competitions throughout the nation. He was a founding member ofA a CCnd a member of the National Wood Carvers Association, California Carvers Guild, and Allied Artists of America, and an associate member of the National Sculpture Society.