BizTRIBUTE
Tucson Bids a Tearful Farewell to
Dave Sitton By Steve Rivera
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No one ever said life was going to be all fun and games, it only turned out that way. – Dave Sitton
What a ride it was for William David Sitton, one of Tucson’s eclectic icons who did seemingly everything for everybody. He did it with energy and enthusiasm. People – and their causes – were his labor of love. “In terms of service to the community, I don’t know of anyone who gave so unselfishly to so many causes as Dave,” said Chris Clements, CEO of Golden Eagle Distributors and a loyal friend who considered Sitton a father figure after his own father, Bill Clements, passed away. Sitton’s impact went far beyond Southern Arizona, and could be felt
1. Conquistador Dave Sitton at The First Tee ceremony
throughout the world. From rugby to business ventures, sports leadership to building connections, Sitton touched the lives of many. Sitton died Aug. 12 in Tucson from a pulmonary embolism. He was 58. “He wanted to be part of the solution,” said Mark Irvin, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson. “He was kind, good-spirited, he was caring,” Irvin added. “He wasn’t good at saying ‘no.’ He believed in the handshake. And if he said he was going to do something, he did it.” When the more than 2,000 people who attended Sitton’s public memorial at University of Arizona’s McKale
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2. With William Clements at a University of Arizona Rugby Awards ceremony 3. With Chris Clements at the Reagan Library aboard Air Force One 4. With broadcasters Bob Elliott (center) and Sean Mooney prior to a telecast 5. Rugby Coach “Pop” Sitton leads the charge
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6. Sitton with daughter Blakeney Sitton, sister Margie Sitton and daughter Olivia Sitton 7. Cancer warrior receives treatment during successful battle with lymphoma 88 BizTucson
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Fall 2012
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Center were asked to stand if Sitton had made an impact on them, all rose to their feet, demonstrating the magnitude of his influence. “He’s left a huge void and I’m not sure if the community realizes how much we need him,” said Tim Stilb of the Tucson Conquistadores, of which Sitton was a member. “His passion was to help people. He did it because he believed in it.” And Sitton believed in a lot. Known as the “Voice of the Wildcats,” Sitton announced UA baseball, football and basketball games. He worked for Fox Sports Net. And Sitton, who coached rugby at UA for 35 years,