Dave worked 18 years as a professional umpire; 10 of those years with the National Baseball League. As the third youngest umpire in baseball history, he demonstrated courage, professionalism and the ability to withstand adversity through many of baseball's high profile controversial events.

He was fired in 1988 for alleged involvement in a sex ring with teenage boys; Dave brought a suit against major league baseball and was cleared of all charges. He said the real reason he was fired was for being gay.

Making history on October 11, 1995, Dave and tennis great Martina Navratilova appeared on stage together for a candid conversation at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. It was the first time that two prominent, openly gay people in professional sports appeared on stage.

He was profiled in the August 2000 issue of the magazine Catholic Digest. At present he is a diversity trainer for corporations and colleges and a motivational speaker. He shares his life with his partner Keith, whom he have been with since 1996. They live in the state of Colorado.