David Eden joined the Santa Barbara County Fire Department Hot Shot Crew right out of high school. In 1980, he became hot shot crew leader and in 1991, he became a fire engineer/inspector. During his career, Dave attended Allen Hancock College and later used his expertise to teach fire behavior and weather patterns and would make fire maps for the department. He was awarded Fire Fighter of the Year. A long-time resident of Lompoc and a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Dave loved spending time outdoors, especially camping and taking day trips with his family. He died of work-related brain cancer