David Alldritt, 1942-2008
Drayton Alldritt, East High ’80
“Big Ol’ Dave,” Reflections for the East Hi Class of ‘60
Maybe it was because he had six younger brothers, but in all parts of his life Dad always seemed to give more that he would receive. As I grew older, I realized the method to his madness, and it was simple – the more he gave the happier he would be. Both Dave’s and Kay’s college experiences had a twist from my arrival in 1962, but that didn’t slow either of them down. Together, they reflected a passion for each other, and for life, that was remarkable.
So I figured following in his footsteps was not a 
bad idea. In doing so, I somewhat unknowingly allowed him to relive some of his best memories, particularly when I was admitted to his alma mater. Our annual fall treks to Boston, just Dad and me in the family truckster for 1500 miles, were our first real one-on-one adventures. From stopping at a dive in Toledo for dinner to hear Ace and the Kingsmen put on a show, to sophomore year when he wanted to buy me and my roommates a case of Heineken (which he enjoyed more than any of us) and all the while listening to Elvis “Aloha from Hawaii” on the 8 track. It is those memories, and many more, that will always keep him alive in me and our family.(Photo: Kay Brinnon Alldritt, East High School Homecoming Queen, 1959)
The Alldritt family cabin of 60+ years is appropriately named Blue Heaven, and at 8,000 feet, among the trees, the mountains, and the wildlife, it is where the spirit of all Alldritts always gravitate. My father became a permanent resident of Blue Heaven in June of 2008, and we are most grateful for having him in our lives. And I’m confident that he has, and will continue to, make all of the Class of 1960 reunions!
Fred Elder Many thanks, Drayton – and good job for keeping that trail
badge. I made an annual crossing (Bear Lake to Grand Lake) for over 20 years, but I am afraid that is no longer in it for me. Rocky Mountain National Park is a very special place for me and your parents were highly instrumental in my learning to love that place. And yes, I remember our hike to Crystal Lake – nice we could do it! My younger son lives in Denver and has a home in Salida. So, every year (OK, not this crazy COVID year) I find myself in Grand Lake, Granby, Estes Park and more. It always feels very good to be there. Your mother and father, with their generosity of the cabin, allowed me to learn what how valuable this area is to me.
Gene Carter Dave and I drove to Hutchinson senior year in his family’s huge red Olds 98 for some meeting regarding Boys State, I think. He observed then that he really liked basketball, but if he worked hard enough to be a starter, it wasn’t fun any more. I registered the point, but didn’t understand. He figured out those things before I did.
Marilyn Tompkins Bellert Dave called me at home on a week night in early February, 1959, and insisted that I come to his house for a party to commemorate Buddy Holly, Ric
hie Valens, and the Big Bopper, whose plane had crashed in Iowa, killing them all. Before I could say a word, Dave began in an urgent tone of voice, “Don’t even start telling me about your homework, Marilyn. This is our music. These are our guys. We have to get together and
remember them.” No way could I refuse Dave when he was this serious, so I went. In Dave’s basement, a crowd of people danced to the music of Buddy Holly and the others, sang along, applauded, and then we listened as Dave talked emotionally about these musicians and what they meant to our lives. Years later, Dave came to my mind immediately when I heard Garrison Keillor telling a story about hearing the Buddy Holly news on his high school lunch hour; he walked out of the school, got in his car, and drove straight to the Iowa crash site. Keillor’s thoughts were similar to Dave’s on the importance of these musicians. And every time I hear Don McLean’s iconic song, “The Day the Music Died,” I think of Dave. He was a wit and prankster as well as a serious student, but he was also passionate about people.
Diane Rusch Zinn A typical day in English Comp, topic for the day, sentence structure and parts of speech. I don’t recall the instructions Miss 
Shellenberger was giving, but all of a sudden Dave piped up and offered, “Diane knows how to diagram sentences.” I had never diagrammed a sentence in my life, so I was more than nervous as I was instructed to proceed to the front of the class and try this skill on a sentence that was not simple – not just a subject, predicate, and object, but those embellished with adjectives, adverbs, and clauses of varying natures. I dutifully copied the sentence and tried in a logical way to add the lines – vertical, front slant, back slant, lower slants, whatever, that seemed reasonable. Whatever happened next, I don’t recall. I just hope I had some rejoinder for Dave after class.
Glenna Stearman Park I went to College Hill with Dave and remember 
him as a gifted writer at every grade level. I especially remember 4th grade when he often shared stories with us. As a young child he had a remarkable vocabulary and a vivid imagination. Dave’s sense of drama was fully unleashed. I always suspected that he continued his creative life – perhaps unpublished.
Dave’s East High Activities
Dave (at center in photo at right with Fred Elder above to Dave’s right) attended Boys State as part of the East High delegation and played on our championship basketball team.
From Harvard Class of 1964
David Alan Alldritt died June 5, 2008, in Wichita, Kansas. He was a Wichita entrepreneur and the owner of a business that provided services to the aerospace companies in the region. He was an active volunteer in the Wichita community and a passionate supporter of youth athletics. He leaves his wife, M. Kay (Brinnon), a daughter, M. Megan ’93, and two sons, M. Drayton ’84 and Barry.
Obituary
David Alan Alldritt, 66, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2008. Business owner and giver to the community, he will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. June 9 at Plymouth Congregational Church. Dave was preceded in death by his father, Don. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Kay; sons, Drayton (Mary) of Wichita and Barry (Jean) of Broomfield, CO; daughter Megan (Steve) Cook of Aurora, CO; mother, Maxine of Harper, KS; several siblings; six grandchildren; extended family. A memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita.
Kay Brinnon Alldritt, Gene Carter, Dave Alldritt at a 1960 Class Reunion
Editor’s Note: This remembrance was originally published on this website in fall 2020.
David was all in for fun, learning, and friendships. On one of our golf outings at Sim Park in Wichita we got an early morning start. One problem: we arrived before daybreak and had to wait until sunrise to see how far off the fairway we had sliced or hooked our tee shots.
During summers we played baseball, first for the Maderos and then for the Orioles. In basketball he had perfected a set shot from the corner far better than anyone I knew. After basketball practice, we would sometimes stop on our walk home at a little Ma and Pa bakery on E Douglas for doughnuts.
Early on Dave attended Hillside Christian Church. Later I recall he visited Central Christian Church where for awhile I was Minister of Pastoral Care. We never talked about faith, though, until a phone conversation a few weeks before he died. It’s a conversation I’ll never forget. My life is richer because of my friendship with David Alldritt.