Remembering the 'Wild Child'

Tribute to IFBB Pro David Dearth

David Dearth, the famed “Wild Child” of pro bodybuilding, humbly called himself just a “hillbilly from Ohio.” His life was a wild roller coaster ride of epic highs and dreadful lows. I can think of few folks in the fitness industry more colorful and memorable than Dave. His amazing physique graced many bodybuilding magazine covers in the ‘90s. I met him when he was working for a dietary supplement company that my law firm was representing. We became good buddies. Some of my best memories of past Arnold and Olympia weekends were nights with Dave and a motley crew including Rehan Jalali, nutritionist to the stars. I’m still laughing at some of those escapades.

Dave’s journey began in Hartville, Ohio, with two brothers, Doug and Devin, and a sister, Dawn. He started lifting in high school, where he met fellow bodybuilder Tim Lefever. Tim became Dave’s best friend through most of his life. Tim remembers the two of them looking at the magazines and aspiring to look like the heroic physiques within those pages. Dave entered his first bodybuilding contest in 1981. He loved competing and quickly displayed impressive genetic gifts. But he was also a bad boy in his youth. Tim has shared crazy stories with me about crazy days with Dave, including some 60 fights in assorted bars and sketchy establishments throughout Ohio, mostly with club security. One altercation started as a fight with a group of bouncers then morphed into an impromptu boxing match in the parking lot, complete with timed rounds and Tim acting as Dave’s cornerman. After that boxing match, and the hour of pushes, punches and kicks that preceded it, Dave ended up in the hospital with his face swollen almost beyond recognition. He smiled at Tim, winking a blackened eye, and said, “For just you and me, we did pretty good.”

Dave’s exploits continued when he relocated to Houston. “I remember training with David Dearth at Costa’s Gym on Jones Road in Houston, back in the early ‘80s when we were both up-and-coming top amateurs,” recalls the great former IFBB Pro Lee Labrada. “David was very strong and hardworking, loved to have fun, was just full of life. We would always crack each other up in the gym, and there were times that we would push each other to train harder.” Lee sent me a picture taken one afternoon in 1984 just outside the gym, after a workout. Lee remembers Dave as being a good friend and that they had great mutual respect. “A true iron warrior and great champion. I miss David.” 

Dave’s dream was to live life as a pro bodybuilder in California. Borrowing $1,000 from his parents, he drove to Los Angeles. He destroyed the middleweight class at the 1989 Nationals, turning pro. In 1991, before he could make much of a mark on the IFBB, Dave left to join the World Bodybuilding Federation (“WBF”) – a new league spearheaded by WWE CEO Vince McMahon. McMahon had resolved to do for pro bodybuilding what he had done for pro wrestling – creating outrageous characters and storylines to generate a worldwide fan base. Bodybuilding superstar Tom Platz had left the IFBB and was recruiting elite bodybuilders to be “BodyStars” for the WBF. The WBF snagged Aaron Baker, Mike Christian, Vince Comerford, Berry de Mey, Johnnie Morant, Danny Padilla, Tony Pearson, Jim Quinn, Mike Quinn, Eddie Robinson, Gary Strydom, and Troy Zuccolotto. Dave signed on, too, mostly because of a guaranteed salary to the athletes. Dave met elite bodybuilder Aaron Baker at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, and they became training partners and great friends. They traveled the world in the fast lane, living a life of limousines, first class flights and fancy hotels, until the WBF ran its course in less than two years. Dave went back to the IFBB, where he competed through the ‘90s, including at the 1994 Olympia (his last show was the 2006 IFBB Toronto Pro).

Dave’s persona in the WBF was dubbed the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Wild Child” and he matched the name. He lived a rock star lifestyle in every way, as this hilarious promo video from the time clearly displays (I’m not sure how often Dave had ever actually picked up a guitar before). He looked great on the WBF stage. But there was a dark side. The pace of the lifestyle combined with the stress of heavy lifting and some bad decisions led to recreational drugs and alcohol. He became dependent on Nubain and then at one point even heroin. After retiring from competition, like many former athletes who leave the limelight, Dave had a hard time finding his way. He struggled with addictions and finances. His body was beaten up: he underwent dozens of surgeries for torn muscles and cardiac problems. When his brother Devin became disabled from a stroke then passed away at only 40 years old, Dave took it hard. He was arrested for steroids and drunk driving.

Dave had a larger-than-life personality but also a gentle, kind side that became more pronounced in later years. His brother Doug says Dave had always been two people: a wild man and a sweet and giving person. In the last few years, Dave developed a loyal social media following on Facebook. His posts were often deeply personal – acknowledging the hardships of life but imbued with hope for a better tomorrow. He wanted to spare others from the mistakes he made. In preparing this article, I was contacted by people who knew him only online and told me how special he made them feel. He made time to respond to direct messages from all his followers. He had a wonderful, self-deprecating sense of humor. For example, Rehan Jalali recalls a great David Dearth quote: “Whenever you’re in a bind, ask yourself: What would David Dearth do, and then do the exact opposite!”

Recently living in West Virginia, Dave had fallen in love with Maureen Andrews, a former pro jockey. Through her Dave began working with racehorses, which he loved. He and Maureen had gotten engaged. He seemed to have conquered the demons that had once plagued him and made a peace with his life as it was. He recently posted, “As I sit outside on my porch with my dogs laying at my feet, I really realize how content with my life I’ve become. I’ve finally gotten to the point I can look myself in the mirror and say, ‘You’ve come a long way.’ Then I say, ‘You’re not done yet.’ It’s not the things I have or what I own. Today it’s about “Was I a good man today? Did I do God’s will? Did I help someone needy?’ My sole goal in life is to help those who are struggling and to make someone smile. If I did that then it was a great day. Love you tons my friends.” His generosity and benevolence to his many fans and followers were part of his redemption.

Days before he died, Dave had gone up to Saratoga, New York, and tore his biceps working with an ornery horse. He drove back to West Virginia and underwent surgery. Complications from the first surgery required a second. Dave posted on Facebook, “Just finished my second surgery in 4 days. This has been a brutal 2 weeks but hopefully I’m on the mend now and will be right as rain in no time. I hope you all have a fantastic week.” He went home but was only home a day. He was sitting on his porch, watching his beloved dogs play in the yard when his years of life at full throttle caught up with him. His heart gave out and he passed peacefully.

David Dearth lived many lifetimes in his 56 years. “He lived each day like it was his last,” his friend Tim Lefever told me, “until it finally was.” Shortly before Dave’s death, he posted this on Facebook: “Why do I keep pushing? Why is it so important for me to get the most out of every day of my life? The answer is simple. If I take my foot off the gas now, I’ll die. This ride is too awesome to just ‘get by.’”

My heart goes out to his parents, his brother and sister, his three sons, Maureen, his friends Tim and Aaron, and all his other friends and loved ones. The world is diminished without him in it. Dave, I will miss you, my friend.

Rick Collins, JD, CSCS [https://rickcollins.com/] is the lawyer that members of the bodybuilding community and nutritional supplement industry turn to when they need legal help or representation. [© Rick Collins, 2019. All rights reserved.]

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