David McGibbon - retired

[Bob Marino]

Well, got a call from Tom B last night, asking if I heard about the rumor that David M has retired from Festool. Said no, I have not heard, but I emailed and got verification this am, that the rumor is true. David has retired.

To those that don't know, David was Festool's Tool Guru - a man with the most vast knowledge, literally inside and out, of Festool's tools. To the many who had the opportunity to speak with him, as well as the fewer who have met David in person would attest, he was as friendly as he was knowledgeable; a pleasure to speak with - but that is an understatement by a hundred fold.

Oh, and BTW, he was the man responsible for bringing Festool tools to the USA.

I wish him only the best and that he enjoy his retirement. But, I have to say, he will be missed.

Bob

 

[mouppe]

+1.

I've spoken with David many times, particularly about using the Vac Sys in North America, and he was always friendly and knowledgeable to speak to.

I hope he thoroughly enjoys his retirement.

Richard.

 

[peter halle]

I think that David does read the FOG but doesn't post here.  Just in case:

David,

I think that we have only spoken twice but the first time was a major reason why I have become as involved with Festool.

I received a TS-55 the Christmas right after they were introduced.  I had an issue with the washer that helps hold the blade in place and not knowing better looked up the Festool phone number and called on Christmas afternoon.  All I wanted to do was leave a message.  I was shocked beyond belief to hear a human voice on the phone.  I believe that it was David who was in California actually answering calls while washing his car.  To say that I was stunned was an understatement.  In fact I am pretty sure that I offered apologies for calling and actually getting someone at that time.  Darn you David!  I only wanted to leave a message!

My part arrived within such a short time frame all the way across the US that I have no doubt that David actually did something to get the part going that day.  At that time Festool USA was based in California.  With customer service like that how could I not be hooked.

So to you David if you read this:  You are at fault.  I hope that brings a smile.  Thank you for that day and also for all the effort and fore thought that you put into making Festool what it is in North America today.  May your retirement be full of happiness and good health.  But although you might be retiring you will always be GREEN to the core.

All the best to you!

Peter Halle - Customer, Fan, Co-Moderator

 

[tbellemare]

I was afraid it was true, Bob...

I wish you a long and joyous retirement, David!

Tom

 

[Bob Marino]

I was afraid it was true, Bob...

I wish you a long and joyous retirement, David!

Tom

Tom, me too.
He's in a very real sense unique and irreplaceable.
Festool has staffed the Service Department with excellent people - headed by Lester Wethingtom - another class act, BTW. But they will never have a person in Service who also was the "pioneer" of Festool in the USA!

Bob

 

[Frank Pellow]

I have a similar story to Peter's about David and it was also with a plunge saw, in my case a AFT 55.  This was my first Festool tool.

I took delivery of this saw in 2004 and the saw didn't seem quite right to me.  At that point, there were no repair facilities in Canada, only a long way away in California in the USA.

I phoned David on a Sunday afternoon, expecting to leave a message and expecting that I would need to ship the saw across the continent.  Instead, I got David live.  He spent about 45 minutes on the phone with me talking me through a repair.  Then, two days later he phoned back to see if the saw was now preforming well.  About two weeks later, I received a gift of a Toolie in the mail, in thanks from Festool.  I should have been thanking David and, instead, he was thanking me. In case I had not already been sold on Festool, I was now.

I wish you a happy retirement David.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I had the pleasure of meeting David at an end-user class a few years ago -- he stopped by the class in Henderson, NV and while there was busy working on fixing someone's tool.  He was a real class act and went around to meet everyone in the class.  I wish you all the best in a long and happy retirement.

Scot

 

[ccarrolladams]

Aloha David! You have been a good friend to every Festool fan, especially me.

You will be missed, but you can take comfort in the talented Festool staff you have trained and inspired!