You were a legend and thank you for your gift of music. You were like a dad to so many of us and you loved your band students unconditionally. He made high school joyful meaningful and fulfilling for me. He guided and encouraged me and everyone around me to go beyond ourselves. Thank you for the world you created for all of us! Your spirit lives on in the lives of all the students aad teachers you mentored. He saw me. He encouraged me. Like he did for so many. He made a difference in the world! He was a mentor. He was a supporter. He was there to help us kids grow up right. You were an inspiration to always do your best!!! A great man and wonderful teacher. He molded that love into something tangible and measurable but most of all enjoyable and rewarding. He was a band director a mentor and most importantly... we were all his family! His influence has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless students and his legacy will continue to inspire for many years to come. You taught us Pride Dignity and Respect. You were an inspiration a mentor and a life coach. I knew I wanted to be just like that someday to teach music and help people get better. I was not the only one you have inspired many people to do the same. I hope to one day be half the teacher you were. You truly left your mark on this world especially in Southeast Alabama. Your legacy lives on in the ones who conduct or compose in your remembrance. You forever changed the trajectory of my life. Without you I would never have dreamed of being a band director. I would not have known how deeply music could touch your soul or how important the people you share music with can be in your life. He showed up for every big moment and cheered us all on long after graduation. He was integral into shaping me into the person I am today and not a day goes by that I don’t apply his Bolich-isms. He was like another father figure to many of us band kids. My middle and high school music program formed me more than any academic class. The man cared deeply about his students. I'm certain no job description could capture everything he did. He was a wonderful mentor and I was lucky to have him. The best mentor my son could ask for as he travels the path of music arranging/composing. The man the myth the legend. He saw potential in me and gently urged me out of my shy little shell. I could talk for days about how he influenced me and showed us all love even when we frustrated the snot outta him. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched. He was mentor my friend. I'm in my 30th year of being a band director and he was one of the reasons why I wanted to be a band director. He was there to give the kids an opportunity to learn and grow as musicians and as people. That never changed. Thank you for the many years of hard and needed and wonderful lessons that extended well beyond the learning of music. Band was the center of my high school experience that I never knew I needed so much. There are those teachers that you have and then there are those teachers that you have that make such a difference in your life that they become family long after you graduate. Mr. David Bolich was that teacher! My love for music and the arts came from him! One of life’s greatest role models a person that taught me so much about music leadership and life you will be so missed. You taught me so much about hard work and taking PRIDE in my work. There are people you meet over the course of your life who truly change its direction—people you can look back on and say without hesitation that person made a difference. David Bolich was one of those people for me. Dave was one of the first to believe in me when I was still unsure about becoming a band director. He encouraged me when I doubted myself and more than once spent hours on the phone talking music problem-solving and helping me find a way forward. Dave had a rare gift—the ability to push people to be better than they thought they could be. I would not be the band director I am if it wasn’t for David Bolich. He was the best mentor and coworker a young bright eyed baby director could have. He was also one of the best friends you would ever want this man would give you the shirt off his back before you could even think to ask. One of a kind -- a band director who was one of the best to ever do it. He had the best ears in the business and was incredibly gracious with his time in helping other band directors ... encouraging the next generation of musicians... Mr. Bolich always looked upon any of his student teachers as kids when we went out into the real world. Ain't fit to eat. Don't be a locker leaner. You’ve reached the number which you dialed. "He taught us more than how to play music and march. He work hard not give up help others be a friend show your class bad manners.” "If you're early on time. If time late. late left! I use this philosophy in my everyday life teach co workers family!" his