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<p><em>David Steven “Pick” Pickerell</em> the was born on August 14, 1956 to Dick and Georgia Pickerell of Fairborn, OH. His father was both the postmaster and high school football coach in this small community adjacent to Dayton, OH. </p>
<p>I first met Dave in Company B2 during those hectic days of Reorgy Week of plebe year. He played on the plebe football squad but broke his arm early in the season. Consequently, he didn’t see much action. Our paths didn’t completely intersect until the spring of 1975. During third detail, Dave, Fred Naber and I were roommates in what many of us recall as the “iconic” three-man room. I remember Dave as being both humble and giving. Having previously roomed with more boisterous classmates, this was new to me. Dave and Fred were quite studious, so I no longer went to the library in preparation for next day’s recitations. Since they both ranked higher in the class, I suspect this was a deliberate attempt by Major Paul Kirkegaard to raise my grades. Regardless of intent, the arrangement worked!</p>
<p>As new yearlings, we left TEEs behind for Camp Buckner. Dave went to 7th Company along with fellow B2er Rich Moody. After a “summer to remember,” we returned to a different B2. Major Kirkegaard rotated to the Master of the Sword’s department and we were introduced to Major (later Brigadier General) Herbert J. Lloyd. For those of us who had the opportunity to know him, Herb Lloyd was larger than life. Additionally, he was the first non-graduate staff and faculty member many of us interacted with. That academic year, Dave reinforced his love for chemistry which later defined his life and successfully closed our time as “Yuks.”</p>
<p>During cow year, he joined most of the class at Jump School and CTLT. As with a handful of our classmates, Dave didn’t shuffle to a new company. He remained in B2 for two more years and continued to grow under Herb Lloyd’s tutelage. Here’s an excerpt from the ’78 Howitzer: “Pick has two strong hands…one stretching out to help anyone in need and the other gripping the Bible.” Reflecting on our time as “roomies,” I found this to be wholly consistent with the man.</p>
<p>As with many classmates during our careers, Dave and my paths intersected once again. Having both branched Armor, we attended the basic course at Fort Knox, KY together. Dave was in the “Cav Track.” The traits I observed plebe year had not changed in Second Lieutenant Pickerell. Dave diligently applied himself as we learned our trade and he earned the coveted moniker, “cavalryman!” After graduation, Dave reported to 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry with the 4th Infantry Division (mechanized) at Fort Carson, CO. I lost track of him after that. During his eleven years on active duty, he received a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Louisville. After leaving active duty, Dave moved into a new world that would ultimately define him and bestow on him the title master distiller.</p>
<p>Dave played a central role in the growth of Maker’s Mark bourbon and later used his expertise to help entrepreneurs start dozens of small craft distilleries. He joined Maker’s Mark in 1994 as vice president of operations. During his fourteen years with the company, Maker’s Mark became a strong international brand, with annual sales growing to nearly one million cases. Dave’s industry peers warmly remember his story telling and penchant to dress in period costumes at marketing events. Armed by his days at our Rockbound Highland Home, Dave demonstrated the attributes of a well-educated chemical engineer whose leadership established industry standards for distilling whiskey. In 2015 he told The Whiskey Wash website: “I’m kind of an idiot savant at distillation systems. For some reason I can close my eyes and see molecules running around in a still and I know where they’re going and why.” After leaving Maker’s Mark, he turned to consulting, which led to his work with small craft distilleries. Colleagues appropriately nicknamed him the “Johnny Appleseed of American Whiskey” for having his hand in a myriad of brands and advocating for production of higher-priced premium whiskeys. Among Dave’s greatest achievements was working with a start-up rye whiskey maker named WhistlePig in Shoreham, VT. Rye was a particular passion for him. Dave felt the U.S. consumer had forgotten its history and nuance. Fast forward to today, anyone who follows the distilled beverage market immediately recognizes this brand and the contributions Dave made to WhistlePig’s meteoric growth. A review of Pick’s Facebook page reveals he and his entourage traveled all over the country promoting the brand.</p>
<p>I believe everyone should follow their passion. Dave and his family were quite lucky that he did exactly that. In 2017 WhistlePig Boss Hogg “Black Prince” was proclaimed the world’s best rye. Jeff Kozak, CEO of WhistlePig said: “Working with Dave never felt like work. It was his passion, humor and storytelling that helped this brand come alive.” </p>
<p>Unfortunately for us all, Dave passed away on November 1, 2018 of natural causes while attending WhiskyFest in San Francisco which showcased the best whiskeys from around the world. He leaves behind a loving family and proud West Point classmates. Dave is survived by his four children Micah, Joshua, Anna and Rebekah; four grandchildren; his siblings Terri, Tami and Rick and his past wife Jeanette (Harvie) Pickerell.Science tells us that a light burns brightest before it ends and so is the case for David Steven Pickerell. Pick…Be Thou at Peace.</p>
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