Man of the house

Husband of Napa fire captain keeps kids happy at home

By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer

At 56, Dave Quick has taken on a new family.

The retired peace officer, who has two grown daughters, 19, and 22, has started over again with 9-month-old Elizabeth and 3-year-old D.J.

Quick is also the primary caregiver for his two young children. The stay-at-home dad has assumed the roles of chief cook and bottle washer, while his wife Sharon, 39, puts in 40-hour weeks with the Napa Fire Department.

Dave Quick admits his first go-round with a young family went more smoothly.

“It certainly was a lot easier than it is now. But I love my life. Elizabeth was our special surprise and D.J. is my best buddy,” he said.

Sharon Quick is quick to praise her husband. “I sometimes get a little jealous when he knows D.J.’s favorite television shows or snacks. But he’s such a good dad and so good at what he does,” she said. “I have great peace of mind leaving the house every day and knowing the kids are with their dad.”

Dave didn’t take on his role all at once.

In 1977, while working with the Solano County Sheriff’s Department, he suffered a knee injury chasing a robbery suspect in Vallejo. After a series of operations, Dave had to turn in his badge, and he retired in 1992.

“At that time I took on the duties of taking care of my two older daughters, Stacey and Jennifer. I would take them to school. I also volunteered as a chaperone for field trips. I was the only dad among many, many moms on the field trips,” he said.

“But this time around it’s different because I’ve been home with our kids since the get-go.”

The Quicks have been together for 11 years, and have been married for seven.

“I really enjoyed being a stepmother, but we decided to have one of our own — D.J. Then along came our big surprise — Elizabeth. What a joy they both are. But we definitely are not going to have any more,” Sharon said.

The typical day at the Quick household starts around 5:30 a.m., when Sharon climbs out of bed. The children are not far behind.

“I make breakfast for everyone — eggs, sausage, waffles, the whole nine yards,” Dave said. “She leaves for work around 7:30 a.m.”

“When I leave the house it usually looks like a bomb exploded,” said Sharon, who has paid her dues as a firefighter and is now a captain with a desk job with the fire prevention unit. “But by the time I get home for lunch, everything is cleaned up, the kids are dressed and Dave has lunch ready for all of us.”

Dave does the cooking. “We barbecue a lot. Sharon cooks on weekends. I do the laundry, and I’m very particular about it. I also do all the grocery shopping. I look for bargains and clip coupons. When Sharon goes grocery shopping, she just throws stuff in the cart. She doesn’t look at prices or the nutrition labels. I also do all the doctor appointments. I’m well known at the doctor’s office.”

In addition to taking care of the family’s 3,000-square-foot home, Dave also maintains the huge yard, which includes a pool, hot tub, deck and several gardens, including D.J.’s vegetable crop.

“That’s mine, all mine,” D.J. said proudly, pointing to a row of veggies popping up from the ground.

Dave’s life isn’t all drudgery. He has his own retreat right in his own backyard. Last year, the couple built a garage where Dave can tinker with his other two “babies” — a restored 1956 Chevy Bel Air and a 1965 Pontiac GTO.

“The vehicles are truly a labor of love. And my garage is my space. I have my cable television, refrigerator and telephone,” he said.

D.J. goes to day care a couple of days a week and a caregiver helps out with Elizabeth, as well, giving Dave some space for himself.

“I use that time to work on my cars and I’m also on a bowling league. It’s my time for me, which is important, he said.

Dave admits that the age difference between he and his children doesn’t go unnoticed.

“I take D.J. places and people tell me what a handsome grandson I have. I use to correct them, but now it’s just not worth it. I love every minute I spend with all of my children. I am the best dad I can be and I am there for them 100 percent,” he said. “There are a lot of much younger fathers than I who cannot give their kids what I can give mine. I’m not saying I am better than them, I just am in a position in which I can devote my time and attention to the kids.”

As far as the Quicks are concerned, time spent with their children is time well spent.

“I love to hear about D.J.’s day when I come home or to have Elizabeth hold out her (chubby) arms to me. I am a very lucky person to have such a great husband and father for our children and stepchildren,” Sharon said.

Dave shares his wife’s gratitude.

“D.J. and I go shopping. He loves to ride in the Safeway fire truck. We also go to the hardware store and out for breakfast. And who couldn’t just love holding this adorable baby girl,” he said, planting a big kiss on Elizabeth’s smiling face.

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