David Gehling was a role model father, teacher, coach and friend. For 33 years, he committed his life to the fire service, spending 27 of those years with Contra Costa County. He was always happy to mentor young people interested in learning more about the fire service and he frequently taught at the fire academies. In his spare time, he loved to spend time with his two sons, coach little league baseball and work as a volunteer umpire. He passed away after a year's battle with job-related brain cancer.