Suddenly and sadly left us, on May 6, 2025, at Te Nikau Hospital, Greymouth aged 82.
David was a dearly beloved and cherished father to Michael and Wayne, a loving father-in-law to Miriam and Sarah, and a devoted grandad to Daniella, Aoibheann, Anna, Douglas, Max, Alex and Finn. Husband of the late Patricia Wallace for 35 years. David was a man of kindness, integrity, and warmth, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Messages can be left on Davidās tribute page at www.thompsonfd.co.nz
All are welcome to join us in remembering a truly special man.
A celebration of Davids life will be held at All Saints Church, Bealey Street, Hokitika, on Friday 16th May at 1.30pm followed by a private cremation.
David is now hunting on the far sunny slopes of the last great divide
I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time
My condolences to his family at this sad time.
My deepest condolences to Dave’s family and friends
Sorry to hear of Daveās passing.
Sincere sympathy to the family.
Sorry to hear of Dave’s passing.
Our sympathy and thoughts are with you Mike, Miriam and family.
Very sorry for your loss.
I remeber the McClunie family from Hari Hari days and Dave as being a man of few words but those spoken were from his heart. He was so knowledgeable about the environment.
RIP Dave and condolences to his family
Sincere condolences to Mike, Miriam and family on your sad loss.š¹š¹
Sincere sympathy to Mike and family.
Sorry to hear this, Dave and I had some good times and long conversations back in the day.
Sincere sympathy to Mike, Miriam and families at this very sad time.
Treasure your memories.
Special thoughts from us both.
Cheryl and Brian Hutchison
Rest in peace Dave.a very skilled person at making and repairing gun stocks.much sympathy to all families
My condolences to all of Daveās family. He was a quietly spoken and sincere workmate from The Jade Factory.
It was always nice to have a chat to him when we crossed paths.
Rest in Peace Dave.
Sorry to hear of Daveās passing.
Sincere sympathy to the family.
So to hear of Daveās passing. Condolences to his family.
We are sending our sympathy to you all. A quiet sincere man who made a big impression.
We have brother Bevan up with us and he is very sorry to miss his service.
To Wayne,Michael and families. We have known your Dad for many years – we are so sad to hear of his passing. He truely was a wonderful friend. He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting him. Our deepest condolences. Derek am doing Barbara Burrows – Geraldine
Sincere sympathies Mike, Wayne and families on your loss, thinking of you all at this sad time, sending love and prayers š
Not quite sure how āam doingā got inserted into the last line of our message.
Sincere sympathy to Mike,Miriam and families, our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
David was a true gentleman and one who I spent many a time yarning about cartridges to. It was always a highlight to see David walk into the room and his warmth and genuine friendship will be sadly missed. I am sure he will be now having a talk with my father Jim who he got on so well with. He will be sadly missed.
Kim Munden
Happy memories from long ago.
Thinking of you Mike and Wayne and your families with love.
Very sad news for me…RIP Dave.
My deepest sympathy to you Mike and Wayne and your family on the loss of Dave
So sorry to hear this sad news. Sending lots of love to Mike, Miriam & family. Dave was a lovely man.
To all the McClunie family, very sad to read of Daveās passing. A very good neighbour for many years. From Kevin and Sandra Anderson and family.
My deepest condolences to the McClunie Family on Dave’s passing.
I only knew Dave through collecting cartridges. We corresponded on occasion and met up at club meetings.
It wasn’t hard to get a measure of this man.
Dave was an old school Gentleman, polite, honest in his feelings and no nonsense, but with a wry smile just waiting to be ignited.
He genuinely cared about the wellbeing of other club members and exuded the type of kindness that only Coasters can recognise as their own.
His quiet presence will be missed.
So sad, my thoughts, love and condolences go out to your family and friends.
Condolences to Mike,Miriam,Aoibheann,Finn & McClunie family on the sad passing of Dave Rip
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry to hear of Dave’s passing.
Our sympathy and thoughts are with you Mike, Miriam and family.
So sad to hear of Dave’s passing. I worked with him at Mountain Jade and also had dealings with him when I was the firearms vettor and Dave did the firearms safety tests. A true gentleman. Condolences to the family. RIP Dave
Dear family,
Apologies that I canāt attend the funeral. I am in Christchurch. I will be thinking of you all tomorrow.
Regards, Lyall Delore
I was sad to hear of Dave’s passing. Dave and I had been corresponding for many years regarding my book Finding Frank, in which Dave features with a story of my uncle Vic Erceg’s trophy deer antlers. Dave selvaged them from the NZFS storeroom in Queenstown the 1950s. He had been taking care of them for over 60 years, up until this years deer cullers reunion in Hokitika. Where we finally met and the antlers we both agreed, and to Dave absolute delight would be rehoused permanently at the Deer Stalkers museum in Wellington. It was a pleasure to meet him, he was so gentle and gracious and a kind soul. We had a lovely weekend together at the reunion, and he enjoyed catching up with his old mates. Rest peacefully Dave on that sunny mountain top. And know you will be remembered in the hearts that you touched. Louise Maich xx
I met Dave long ago. A kind and gentle man. My condolences to his family for their loss.
May you walk sunny hills and valleys, Dave, and find shelter in homely little orange huts you knew so well.
It was a privilege to know Dave — I met him back in the 1990s, and he permitted me to interview him and to become a chapter in Hunting With The Best. He was always on for a yarn about hunting, wildlife, cartridges, and the world in general. Dave was one-of-a-kind, and will be sorely missed. Hunt high, and into the wind, old mate — I’m sure you’ll enjoy those great new hunting grounds. Kingsley Field.