greg beckler honoring cumberland caverns founder, roy a...
TRANSCRIPT
Robert A. Holt PO Box 625, Cobleskill, NY 12043 Executive Director Phone: 518-231-5420 Email: [email protected] cavern.com
May 2018
Dedication This Issue of Cave Talk is Dedicated to the Memory of Our
Friend and Past President of the NCA, Roy A. Davis, Jr.
Honoring Cumberland Caverns
Founder, Roy A. Davis, Jr.
January 18, 1934 – March 31, 2018 The end of an era on Cardwell Mountain occurred with the passing of Cumberland Caverns beloved founder, Roy A. Davis, Jr of McMinnville, TN. Roy was born and raised in Indiana but would later make Warren County his home after falling in love with a little-known cave in the rural Tennessee hills named “Higgenbotham’s” after the original discoverer in 1810. With the help of his friend and fellow caver, Tank Gorin, and landowner A.W. Powell, Roy’s dream to share the beauty of his special cave with the world became a reality in July 1956 when Cumberland Caverns welcomed its first guests.
Knowing that the interests of commercial cave owners were sometimes quite different from cavers, Roy helped form the National Caves Association in 1965. In that same year, Roy installed lights and trails in The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, TN, and began a long career as a world renowned show cave
OFFICERS
President: John Graves
Luray Caverns, VA
Ph: 540-743-6551 [email protected]
Vice President: Al Mathis
DeSoto Caverns, AL
Ph: 256-872-6240 [email protected]
Secretary Treasurer: Bob Holt
National Caves Association
Ph: 518-231-5420 [email protected]
Past President: Patty Perlaky
Cave Without A Name, TX
Ph: 830-537-4212 [email protected]
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
Region One:
(CT, DE, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT)
Greg Beckler –Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, NY
[email protected] Ph: 518-494-2283 Region Two:
(MD, VA, WV, KY)
Eric Helton – Diamond Caverns, KY
[email protected] Ph: 270-749-2233
Region Three: (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Claudia Yundt - Squire Boone Caverns, IN
[email protected] Ph: 812-732-4382
Region Four: (AR, IA, KS, MO, NE)
Dennis Boyer - War Eagle Cavern, AR
[email protected] Ph: 479-789-2909
Region Five: (MN, MT, ND, SD, WI)
Tom Hagen - Rushmore Cave, SD
[email protected] Ph: 605-255-4467
Region Six: (CA, ID, NV, OR, WA, AK, HI,
Barbados, Bermuda)
Matt Doyle – Lake Shasta Caverns, CA [email protected] Ph: 800-795-CAVE
Region Seven: (AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY)
Steve Beckley – Glenwood Caverns, CO
[email protected] Ph: 970-945-4CAV
Region Eight: (LA, OK, TX) Ed Mayfield – Caverns of Sonora, TX [email protected] Ph: 325-387-3105
Region Nine: (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN)
Lisa McClung – Lost Sea, TN
[email protected] Ph: 423-337-6616
DIRECTOR AT LARGE Denise Bell – Seneca Caverns, OH
[email protected] Ph: 419-483-6711
DIRECTOR EMERITUS Steve Runkle - Cave of the Winds, CO
[email protected] Ph: 719-685-5444
developer. Roy was instrumental in helping to establish, commercialize, and light a great number of spectacular show caves during his lifetime. He did major projects for such caves as Ruby Falls, Marvel Cave, Fantastic Caverns, and The Crystal Caves of Bermuda. Although he lost count of the true number, Roy’s friends estimate he did work for over 50 show caves in the U.S. and beyond. Roy served as president of the NCA from 1977-1979.
Roy possessed a great amount of talent and successfully wore many hats during his lifetime. His creativity and ingenuity knew no bounds and evidence of that can be found by stepping 333’ below the surface and looking up at the magnificent chandelier he rescued from the Loews Metropolitan Theater in NY that now graces the ceiling of the Volcano Room inside Cumberland Caverns. Roy lived a very full life and to name all his accomplishments would fill several books. It is extremely hard to put into words his contribution to countless numbers of children and their families, not to mention his community and state as a whole. Roy breathed life and poured love into Cumberland Caverns, which in turn has blessed this community and will continue to amaze, excite, and entertain the entire world for generations to come.
He owned Roy Davis Pipe Organs, where he bought and sold pipe organs all over the United States. He was a professional organist and pianist, singer, photographer and printer. Roy was the retired founder and CEO of Cumberland Caverns, and member of Sparta First Christian Church.
Roy died at age 84 in NHC Healthcare of McMinnville following an extended illness. He was the son of the late Roy A. Davis, Sr. and Margie Dizmore Robbison. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Jerry A. Davis and sister, Carolyn Davis. Survivors include companion, Mary Thrower of McMinnville; brothers, Adam G. Davis of Madison, IN and John A. Davis of McMinnville; sister, Judith Ann Thorpe of Parker, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Sparta First Christian Church with DaWanna Lopez officiating. Interment followed in Faulkner Cemetery.
Longtime Friends Remember Roy Fondly
“Roy Davis was loved and respected by hundreds of leaders in the cave industry. He not only developed Cumberland Caverns but had huge projects in Meramec Caverns, Ruby Falls, Luray Caverns, Howe Caverns and many other caves in the USA. Roy also developed several caverns in the Caribbean. Many will remember Roy for his faith, his love for others, as well as his love for fun and adventure. He will be greatly missed.”- Jack Herschend, Herschend Family Entertainment; National Caves Association Founding President “To many people, Roy Davis was a hero! In the caving world, Roy Davis was known around the world as a master of commercializing and lighting caves. He made a huge time investment here in Warren County opening Cumberland Caverns for commercial tours in 1956. That investment has brought millions of tourists through Warren County and has provided jobs for countless teenagers and adults alike over the 62 years that Cumberland Caverns has been in operation. Roy helped to shape the lives of many of Warren County’s youth including mine. Roy will be missed here on Cardwell Mountain!” -Robby Black, General Manager, Cumberland Caverns
Roy Davis at the NCA 50th
Anniversary Convention, Spring Green, Wisconsin (2015)
Yeny Herschend, Roy Davis, Jim Herschend, Al Mathis, enjoy the NCA 50th
Anniversary Convention, Wisconsin. (2015)
“Sometime in the late '80's, Emily Davis and I were traveling home from an event, and stopped by Cumberland Caverns to see if we could spend the night in the field below the cave. Roy was more than gracious. He drove us into McMinnville in his Cadillac convertible and treated us to a fine restaurant meal, and then gave us a tour of his huge warehouse full of theater organs, pipes, and parts. Back at his home, we got a tour of his print shop, and his darkroom. Then we enjoyed a concert from his Wurlitzer theater organ that was installed in his living room. Later, a 6-ft. screen whirred down from the ceiling and we watched cave photos in his home theater before turning in for the night.
Some years later, Roy's wonderful home caught fire and burned to the ground, and he was relegated to living in a trailer on the property. He and Tank Gorin were always happy to welcome the many cavers who flocked for decades to his annual Christmas Party in the cave. It's ironic that Roy left us just as Bluegrass Underground is leaving Cumberland Caverns for a new venue. Roy was a true institution and a multi-talented and generous man. We are all diminished. I regret this is the only photo I have of him”-Alex Sproul
“Having known legendary caver Roy Davis for about 50 years, there are many things I could have written about Roy. However I thought I could share a perspective that many other NCA members may not be aware of. I crawled into my first cave as a tenderfoot scout in 1958 and went caving the first day I received my driver’s license. I caved through high school and bought carbide for my headlamp from Lewis Lamon, early Indiana caver and NSS member, at his hardware store in Corydon. Lewis probably first told me about Roy Davis at age 16 in 1963. Turns out, Roy had grown up in Scottsburg, Indiana only 25 miles from where I grew up. Roy did a lot of Indiana caving in the late 40’s and early 50’s and helped start the Indiana Cave Capers, still our premier Indiana annual caver’s convention when he was still in high school. Then he left the wet slimy caves of Indiana for the dry dusty boreholes of Tennessee when he attended Lipscomb College in Nashville and fell in love with Higgenbotham Cave. Lewis Lamon, his son Lewis David, well-known, but eccentric Louisville caver, Charlie Fort and Bill Walters, who became a part owner of Cumberland Caverns, often drove to Tennessee to join Roy in his early explorations of the cave that would become Cumberland Caverns. Lewie would then regale us young Indiana cavers with their exploits underground in Higgenbotham Cave when we visited his hardware store. By the mid-60’s Roy was the publisher of the NSS News, whose arrival I anxiously awaited every month, so I could read about the latest new cave discoveries around the US. Roy Davis became a legend in my own mind before I ever met him. I remember thinking about Roy as some kind of a national hero to cavers, like Sir Edmund Hilary was to mountain climbers, and Virgil “Gus” Grissom to space exploration. He was quite famous in those heady early days of the NSS. In 1965, I too decided to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville and immediately joined the Nashville Grotto. While Roy didn’t often come to Nashville for the grotto meetings, the Nashville cavers often stopped by Cumberland Caverns during their weekend forays into the Tennessee highlands. Cumberland Caverns was the place to be, if you were a caver in those days. I think my very first Nashville grotto cave trip we stopped at Cumberland and talked to Roy, Tank, his partner, and Lewis David. To me, it was like meeting the president of the United States. I felt like I was something big now that I had met Roy Davis and the Cumberland Caverns Christmas party was already the biggest caver event of the year. I will
Above, Roy welcomes his guests at the annual Christmas party in Cumberland Caverns. At left, a view of the party venue in preparation for the caver Christmas gathering. Photos courtesy of Alex Sproul.
never forget the impression the first one made on me. Roy always ended the evening with some of his great stories and a little of the Gospel. Little did I know in 1965 that a few years later I would be following in his footsteps in the show cave industry and that Binkley Cave, which I started surveying in would some day be even longer than Cumberland Caverns, and that in 2013 we would open a small portion as Indiana Caverns. To me Roy was both a show cave pioneer and a caver to emulate. I think Roy may have been the first modern day NSS caver to also develop a show cave? Back in those days, most cavers were not kind to show cave owners and often made snide and disparaging remarks when they went on show cave tours. Roy paved the show cave development road for many other NSS cavers that followed including Gordon Smith, Terry Crayden, Pat Stephens, Jim Richards, Steve Beckley and myself. As more cavers developed or purchased existing show caves, the relationship between cavers and show cave operators changed from one that was somewhat antagonistic to one that is more symbiotic today. Roy Davis was instrumental in bridging that gap. I will always remember Roy as a hero - kind of like another Roy – ‘Roy Rogers’ was when I was growing up.” -Gary Roberson, Indiana Caverns
“I still remember when I originally met Roy as a kid. He played the organ for my parents and me at his Tennessee home. He showed us his extensive train collection. He then had us get in his jeep and he gave us all a personal tour of his beloved Cumberland Caverns. He even drove the jeep part way into the undeveloped part of the long cave system. On the way out I made the "mistake" of commenting to him that I could not believe how much his jeep could take. He smiled and said you have not seen anything yet! He then drove out of the cave on that dark night and headed down the hill for some nearby pine trees. Before we knew it, he picked a small tree out with his headlights and drove right into it. Instead of going over the tree as planned, we ended up with the jeep stopped at a very steep upward angle. The jeeps front bumper was bent in like the letter "V." He laughed and said the tree was bigger than he had thought! We all were holding onto the vehicle. He said he would have his maintenance man handle it the next day. I can tell you one thing, I will never forget Roy Davis in all the years I have known him!”-Gary K. Soule, NSS 11198 LPF, American Spelean History Association # 126
“I am saddened to learn that Roy Davis has passed away. Like many cavers of my generation, I first learned of him from Bill Halliday's book "Depths of the Earth" in the early 1960s, and was filled with excitement about cave discovery and exploration. In the spring of 1971, as I was doing my senior thesis at Syracuse University on moss growth in the light baskets at Howe Caverns (lampenflora), I ran into Roy as he was drilling the tunnel from the Winding Way back to the elevators. He was busy and we didn't get to talk much, but I was impressed with his all business attitude and his impressive and positive demeanor. Meeting "The Legend" in person lived up to his billing. I later was able to talk with him at the 1981 International Congress of Speleology, when the mid-week excursion was run from Bowling Green, KY to Cumberland Caverns. He was talking about how they had gotten the big chandelier hung in the main chamber (where we had a banquet), just that morning, and how an electrical storm may upset all the activities.”-John (and Joan) Mylroie (retired), Dept of Geosciences, Mississippi State University
Roy playing the theatre organ he installed in his home. (1989)
Bill Hounshell, Carl Gibson, Kenneth Cagle, Pete Hailey and Roy Davis
make up the Convention Committee. The Convention was held in
Gatlinburg, TN. (1970)
“War Eagle Cavern has the honor of being one of (maybe the last) cave expansion project of Roy Davis’ career. In the fall of 2012, Roy and his partner Steve Turner arrived in a beat-up RV, an old pickup truck, and Roy’s best friend, his dog (can’t remember his name).
Steve provided labor, Roy provided expertise – and over the next two months, over three hundred tons of rock was drilled, blasted, hauled and removed - creating a 100 plus foot long, 8 foot high and 12 foot wide tunnel to reach the first underground lake just beyond our old tour.
Roy Davis and Steve Turner worked on the new tunnel in War Eagle Cavern. This was perhaps one of the last of Roy’s projects. (2012)
Roy would tell us where to drill 4-foot long holes in the layers of limestone, fill those holes with dynamite, and supervise the many explosions, all the while regaling us with stories of his many exploits during his long career.
This story blew me away as told by Roy – ‘A few years ago, I got word of a beautiful antique pipe organ in an old theater near Times Square. Steve and I took our truck and equipment to New York City, only to discover that the organ was built into a wall three stories off the stage! You can imagine the troubles we encountered as we carefully lifted, lowered, and carried the organ and pipes to our truck for the long trip back to McMinnville. It took days, and the police didn’t like it one bit!’
Our crew worked well with Roy and Steve, and the work was concluded without one problem. Within a year or so, we got word of Steve’s passing after a long battle with cancer. I will remember Roy and Steve as good friends who enjoyed many adventures together.” –Dennis Boyer, War Eagle Cavern
Roy Davis, Clara Heideman and Rodney Schaeffer conduct the meeting Jack Herschend, Joan Bogart, Roy Davis speak of the early years at the NCA PA Convention. (1971) at NCA 50
th Anniversary Convention. (2015)
“Roy Davis worked on two major projects at Howe Caverns. The first was in 1972 when we blasted for a tunnel at the end of our Winding Way which was a one way in-out passage that caused bottlenecks and slowed down tours on busy summer days. Roy spearheaded the project and the new tunnel brought guests back to the elevators for an easy exit. The project had a few interesting situations. One was how to get the rock out of the cave and up the elevator shaft. Power wheel barrels were ordered but a bobcat would prove handy if it would fit in the elevator car and it did by taking off the bucket. The day the bobcat was delivered, the question was how to get it off the back of the pickup truck. Planks were laid out but no one in the gang knew how to operate one. I was the tester and I came shooting off the truck and began spinning around the parking lot having no idea how to handle it. Everyone was laughing including Roy. Rodney Schaeffer (then General Manager) said to take it back to the tractor place. Instead, we called them and a representative came out and gave us a demonstration. From that point on, we had no problem.
Roy was in charge of the dynamite. We had our staff working to drill holes and would have them ready for Roy to fill with the dynamite. After we cleaned up
from the previous blast, Roy would work nights loading the dynamite. He liked to sleep in mornings and when he was up for the day, the next charge was set off and the cycle of clean up took place once again. One day while cleaning up one of our guys noticed that a couple charges did not go off as the dynamite was pouring out of the hole. With the noise of the bobcat and jackhammer we were sending hand signals to get things quiet to get Roy’s attention. He said ‘that can’t be… oh well, no problem,’ and he go about getting it cleaned up. Meanwhile we were all a little bit nervous as to what could happen! Speaking of dynamite, there was a locker where the sticks were stored. Roy would bring into the building what he needed to take into the cave for the day and leave them on a table in the elevator room until he was ready to head into the cave. One morning guests came in to buy their tickets and said there was a dog in the parking lot throwing around what looked like sticks of dynamite. My immediate reaction was Roy would not be that careless to drop dynamite in the parking lot. We finally figured out that wonder dog Robin came into the building and took the sticks of dynamite off the table and went outside for a little entertainment. In 1973 Howe hosted the NCA convention for the first time. The tunnel had been complete so we had a little fun when the NCA folks toured the cave. We made up a sign and placed it on an easel which read ‘The Roy Davis Memorial Tunnel.’
In 1976 Roy returned to Howe for the complete rewiring and lighting of the cave. He brought with him his right hand man Leonard Munson (husband of Barbara) and of course mischievous wonder dog Robin. Roy always traveled with his RV. He hated the cold winters of upstate New York and couldn’t understand why ‘you people live up here.’ We had a three bay heated warehouse and Roy would pull his RV in the far bay. It was a bit long so the overhead door had to stay up and we enclosed the back end of the RV with bales of hay to keep the cold out. Roy and Leonard kept toasty in there. It was very comical to watch Roy going through the cave, We often laughed as he was like some cat on a hot tin roof jumping and climbing over rocks. He never sat still. Roy came up with the idea for music on our boat ride. He installed a state of the art speaker and put it up in a chamber. He chose a selection from Richard Rodgers ‘Victory at Sea.’
Roy works on a light fixture left inside Howe Caverns while employee Jim Whitbeck demonstrates the bobcat which was taken in the cave via the elevator and used for the tunnel debris. (1972)
Roy doing a little wiring work for lights in the new tunnel at Howe. (1972)
Roy in the red shirt chat with a few of the Howe Caverns boys during the rewiring and lighting of the cave. John Tauriello on the left helped Roy remove an organ or two out of NYC theaters. (1976)
On those cold winter nights… Roy kept busy and Leonard would go down to Rodney & Erma Schaeffer’s house. Leonard and Rodney always enjoyed a good bottle bourbon together. Roy of course was not much of a drinker. Roy might not like the cold winters of New York, however, he liked to ski. So when in the northeast you do what us northerners do. Often Roy, a guide Jim Whitbeck and I would go to a nearby ski resort and Roy would get his enjoyment on the slopes. Roy was always dealing with his other job… theater organs. He would be in the office making and receiving calls regarding an organ for sale in NYC or somewhere else. I remember he bought an organ and then sold it within an hour or so and made himself a few thousand bucks. We worked in the cave on our projects Mon-Fri so on a few different weekends he’d ask a couple of our guides if they would go to NYC and help him take out an organ from some closed up theater.
And Roy’s dog Robin… well as I said he was a mischievous dog. He was found on the hood of a guest’s car barking his brains out at a dog sitting inside the car. The poor dog must have been petrified! Also one day a school group came out of the cave and headed to their buses for their lunches. Strewn all across the parking lot were torn bags, wrappers, and fruit. Robin figured out a way to push open the bus door and went in to help himself to the kid’s lunches. Of course he didn’t eat the fruit, he was more interested in the sandwich meat. The dog earned a new name from the guides… ‘Robin Hood.’ I only remember one mishap with Roy. Somehow he cut the end of his finger off. I don’t recall exactly how it happened but it wasn’t with a saw. My daughter Kelly was with me when this took place and Roy was bleeding like a stuck pig. I got him wrapped up to take him to the hospital. I told Kelly to pick up the finger. My 10 year old was a bit reluctant to do as I asked but she did pick it up and wrap it in a paper towel and off we went to the hospital where they sewed it back on.
Roy was a great friend. We shared many adventures and loads of laughs together. I was his Vice President of the NCA when he served as President. He will be deeply missed.” –Harrison W. Terk, Retired General Manager, Howe Caverns “My earliest recollection of Roy was in the 1970’s when he worked on the Howe Caverns projects. I was in high school during the tunnel excavation; however, I was a full time employee when the rewiring was done and that’s when I had the best time getting to know this man Roy Davis. I enjoyed the stories he’d share with us – he could have had his own “Adventures With Roy” tv show. I think we call them reality shows today! One of the things I recall is Roy loved to roller skate. We had a local indoor rink so we organized a party there one evening. I had never skated before and I figured I’d make a fool of myself. Roy Davis, Rodney & Erma Schaeffer and our office secretary Marion Allen taught me how to skate. It turned out to be a fun time which I’ll never forget. The trouble maker dog Robin which Terk spoke about, apparently loved me. Every time I walked in the Lodge at Howe, Robin would take off like a rocket and come lunging at me. One time he pinned me up against the wall in front of guests and started doing things that male dogs do. I could never keep him away. I asked Roy why Robin is after only me and not anyone else. Roy asked me if we had a dog at home. I said ‘yes.’ He asked, ‘female?’ I
responded ‘yes.’ With a chuckle that is only recognizable as Roy’s he said, ‘Well Bob, Robin just smells your dog and I assure you he’s not in love with you!’ I found out years later Roy was known for not neutering his dogs. In my recent years it was always a joy to have Roy attend our NCA conventions when he could make it. He was a genuine gentleman, a fun loving story teller, and most of all, a man who knew where he stood with his faith in God and he certainly loved Jesus. We are all better off for knowing him.” –Bob Holt, Former General Manager, Howe Caverns; Executive Director, National Caves Association
Roy takes a break and chats with Minnie Lea, Howe Caverns Gift Shop Manager. (1976)
Roy has some fun roller skating with the folks from Howe Caverns. (1976)
“In the Fall of 1973, I had decided to take the plunge and begin the development of Blue Spring Cave in Bedford, Indiana as a show cave. After 10 years of cave exploration around the U.S., I knew a lot about caves and not much about starting a show cave. On caving trips to Tennessee in the late sixties I heard about, and eventually met, Roy Davis. Roy, I knew, had started Cumberland Caverns in much the same circumstances as I was looking at with Blue Spring -- lots of ideas and not much capital. A letter to Roy brought back a quick and honest response. Follow your dreams if you must, said Roy, but don’t expect it to be an easy journey or a certain success.
Fast forward to 1977 when I was invited by Roy to spend the winter season working for him in a re-lighting project at Luray Caverns. Here began my chance to learn the ins and outs of cave development from a master of the craft. It also paid considerably more than I was making at Bluespring! He was always willing and eager to teach the “secrets” of dramatic cave lighting and artistic concealment. On a few weekends, the crew traveled with Roy to New York City, camped in Roy’s motor home in a New Jersey parking lot, and enjoyed off-Broadway matinees. I not only learned a lot about show cave development and getting around NYC, but formed a close friendship with Roy. Over the next few years, it was always a treat when I could get together with Roy at Cumberland, on his occasional visits to Indiana, or at NCA meetings (where I noted that Roy Davis was having more fun than anyone else at the cocktail hour -- and he was drinking orange juice)! Roy was a committed Christian and, while his faith guided his life and conduct, he never used it to judge others. An occasional Sigh!, perhaps........
Winter of 1985 brought another opportunity to work with Roy on trail construction, lighting, and water features for Joe Wagoner at The Lost Sea. Roy and Joe had a brief good-natured disagreement on the delayed arrival of our Friday paychecks from the payroll service used by The Lost Sea. We became accustomed to seeing our paychecks sailing down the tunnel, folded into paper airplanes, at 4:30 every Friday! Some weekends, I abandoned my single-room apartment above the hardware store in Sweetwater and joined Roy on his trips “over the mountain” to McMinnville. These trips in Roy’s nearly-floating Ford Station wagon were the closest thing to flying while still mainly attached to the earth! Roy Davis never did anything slowly. On an extended weekend, we headed back to McMinnville in Roy’s motor home, picked up his ancient green box truck and headed to upper New York State. There we removed a large pipe organ from an abandoned (and unheated) Catholic cathedral.
Roy preparing to play the Great Stalacpipe Organ at Luray Caverns. (1982)
Roy explaining lighting work at The Crystal Caves, Bermuda. (1999)
NCA Convention at The Crystal Caves of Bermuda. Dave Candelaria, Dick Bell, Barbara Munson (NCA Secretary) and Roy Davis. (2001)
We had to shoo the pigeons out of the steeple tower to remove the large air blower and then winch the huge organ console down from its balcony perch to the main floor 20 feet below. As always, when working with Roy, it was a grand adventure with lots of hard work mixed in.
My last project working with Roy was at Hato Cave on the island of Curacao in 1990. Three months on a Caribbean island might appeal to most folks, but Roy found it too far from his Tennessee mountains and his many hobbies and toys. And the laid-back island culture was a constant affront to his usual style of full speed ahead. In the years that followed, Roy continued his cave projects and pipe organ conquests, but I was now too busy at Bluespring to play a part in those. We got together at NCA meetings and occasional visits and Roy was nearly always the positive-thinking optimist in spite of a number of unhappy events in his life. Roy Davis was a genuine renaissance man who brought his thoughtful joy and good humor along wherever he went. His impact on the show caves he improved and those who worked with him over the years is impossible to overstate. After funeral services at his Sparta, Tennessee church, a number of friends got together in the Volcano Room at Roy’s Cave, Cumberland Caverns. For hours, we fondly told stories of our times with Roy Davis -- happy tales of a man who made his mark in the world of caves and other places but, most especially, in the hearts and minds of those he worked, played, and worshipped with.” –Jim Richards, Bluespring Caverns
Arkansas Convention shows Roy in both of these photos (red shirt) and he’s discussing important matters in the photo on the right. (1997)
Roy, Barbara Munson and Roy’s brother John and his wife Yunzee, at AZ Convention. (2000) Roy Davis and Gary Berdeaux. (2005)
Roy with Sheryl Richards & Steve Fairchild, Slovenian Alps.
(2006)
“The Inspiration Behind Bermuda’s Fantasy Cave: The owners of Crystal Cave brought Roy Davis to Bermuda in 1999 to consult on the renovation of Crystal Cave, however, prior to entering Crystal Cave, Roy had the opportunity to look at the nearby Wonderland Cave, which had been originally developed as a show cave in the early 1900’s. However, it was open to the public only intermittently until World War II. The cave had been closed since then. After Roy’s first visit to Wonderland Cave he emerged bounding with enthusiasm for the redevelopment of the cave. Roy Davis and David Summers immediately started to plan the redevelopment of Wonderland Cave and presented a convincing report to the owners of Crystal Cave, urging them to commission the redevelopment of this cave. The redevelopment proposed was agreed to by the owners.
On his return home to Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee, Roy Davis immediately hired a sea cargo container and filled it with everything, but everything, that he thought he could need to redevelop a cave in Bermuda. High on his priority list was a huge abundance of his beloved JFG coffee, which was ground and packaged in Tennessee. The turn of the century found Roy, his
colleague Steve Turner and Roy’s faithful dog, temporarily resident in the Island of Bermuda, hard at work redeveloping Wonderland Cave. Roy’s work was so spectacular the owner’s of the cave decided to rename the cave Fantasy Cave in recognition of Roy’s incredible work. Once Fantasy Cave was opened Roy found that his links to Bermuda were maintained as he and Steve Turner were engaged to renovate Crystal Cave, which needed a dramatic upgrade to match its sister cave, then known as Fantasy Cave, all in good time for the 2006 NCA Convention. The Crystal Caves of Bermuda have a deep gratitude to Roy Davis for his truly wonderful work in redeveloping Fantasy and Crystal Caves. Fantasy Cave is a monument to Roy’s skill and passion for his beloved subterranean world.” -David Summers, President, The Crystal Caves of Bermuda
Roy waiting for his tour at Mammoth Cave with
David Summers and Debbie Ray. (2005)
Roy gathers with his friends Zico Dean, David Summers and Colin Outerbridge from The Crystal Caves of Bermuda at the NCA 50
th Anniversary Convention in Wisconsin.
Roy is among a rowdy bunch of NCA members touring in Missouri. (2013)
“We only have one photograph of Roy that was gifted by our former vice president of operations, Ronnie Burk. Several of us at Ruby Falls have fond memories of Roy when he has worked with us on and off through the years. I remember we took a “field trip” to Cumberland Caverns and not only did Roy give the tour himself, he took us to his home, fed us lunch and played the organ for us. He was a treasure.” –Hollie Baranick, Ruby Falls
“Roy was more than just a cave explorer and entrepreneur. He was an employer, a trusted
guide, a preacher and someone who loved adventure whether it was in the forest or at the controls of a mighty Wurlitzer. Roy’s life touched so many others that the stories will never cease, nor should they, because when eternity comes Roy is likely to be serving as St. Peter’s marketing director.” -Ed Yarbrough, Attorney and Former Cave Guide
Roy and his friend Dick Bell of Seneca Caverns, OH at the San
Antonio, Texas Convention. (2007)
Past Presidents gather for Barbara Munson’s retirement Convention, TN (2001)
Roy Davis and Sam West above Ruby Falls. (1964) They are
observing the signatures from the only previous visit on
5/18/1950.
Roy with Jeanette Luecke, Vivian Evans at Perry’s Cave, Ohio Convention.
(2004)
Past Presidents gather at the Convention in Branson, MO. (2009)
“Roy was hired to do some work in Mammoth Onyx Cave, Kentucky. He set up a portable plastic greenhouse in the cave to keep drops of water off “his stuff”. Roy was hired to rewire the cave by David Grey on my recommendation. He would sit in his greenhouse and figure out what he wanted Steve Turner to do next. Someone found out that Roy was not a licensed electrician nor did he have a permit to do the job. He also was not wiring the cave to “code” and they turned him in to the authorities. Late one night I got a call from a friend of mine who was a former Mayor of Horse Cave, KY informing me that Roy and Steve Turner were locked up in the local jail. A few minutes later Roy calls me (in Indiana) with his one allowed phone call - he was not happy to say the least. I called David Grey and eventually he got a judge to set bail and Roy and Steve were released. Roy was not a “model” prisoner and Steve thought they would never get out if Roy didn’t shut up.
Months later at the trial the Judge released Roy of the charges but told him never to try to do electrical work in Kentucky again. All the while this was going on I had to keep a low profile since Roy had wired our cave (Diamond) just down the road and amazingly he had also rewired Lost River Cave for Western Kentucky University with no problems. One of the last times we visited Roy was in the rehab hospital in Sparta Tennessee where he was recovering from having his big toe removed. When asked how he was doing he said that he was plotting his escape and all he needed was a car. He had ‘escaped’ several times from the assisted living facility that he was at previously by watching the staff very closely and learning the code to open the front door. The last time the police found Roy in a roadside ditch bleeding from a large cut on his head. At the Sparta facility I told Roy his escapes didn’t work out too well in the past and suggested he stay there. He was in reasonably good spirits and said he would be going home soon one way or the other.” –Gordon & Judy Smith, Diamond Caverns “Roy was a very special and unique individual who loved life, caves and pipe organs. When he did some work for us at Meramec, he went to a small church on Sunday in Sullivan. He was the only man that showed up. He noticed an organ in the church and asked why no one was playing it. He was told no one knew how so he volunteered and the 10 ladies that were there were so appreciative they took him out to lunch. Judy also arranged for him to tour the Fox Theatre in St. Louis and once again, he played their organ to the delight of everyone on tour.Roy celebrated his 75th birthday while he was here and the Herschends came down and surprised him. I remember that he always said the prayer before every NCA meeting and used to steal the show during the round table. He was good and kind and a joy to be around and he will be missed.” -Les Turilli, Meramec Caverns
Roy’s mini-greenhouse office inside Mammoth Onyx Cave, Kentucky
Roy’s last days were spent in a rehab hospital in Sparta, TN. (2018)
Roy, Gordon and Judy Smith and Eric Helton at 50th
Anniversary Convention. WI. (2015)
Falconhurst – Roy’s Home “Falconhurst, the former home of Asa Faulkner. Mr. Roy Davis resides and dedicates his life to preserving this beautiful 1848 structure that is a monument to times gone by.
Mr. Davis described some of the renovations he has done to Falconhurst over the years: “When my home of 50 years burned in 1996, I moved into Falconhurst, an 1848 antebellum home built by Asa Faulkner. I will spend what's left of my life restoring and repairing this wonderful little "mansion". I will remain faithful to its architectural heritage while at the same time upgrading to the comforts of today's lifestyle. I have expanded the original Faulkner dining room table to be able to seat 18 guests. The upstairs bedrooms are furnished with antiques of the period; an elevator has been installed to reach the upper floor and attic. The dining room remains the next project: which measures 16x32. Several fireplaces have been refurbished and all work. The walls are 18" thick and the floors are 2" yellow poplar. The new "home theatre" boasts a 10x12 ft. screen and elaborate stereo system. Under construction is an
elaborate Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ that will be the largest in TN.” –Roy Davis, in an email sent to WCGA president, Cheryl Watson-Mingle
Members met Mr. Roy Davis at his home on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 12pm, and Mr. Davis gave a very interesting tour of the mansion. Guests were also treated to a scrumptious lunch and exciting entertainment. The menu served at Falconhurst on consisted of: Fried biscuits w/hot apple butter Hoosier Meatloaf Tuna Veronique over toast Home fried potatoes Green bean Medley Spinach Casserole Onion/Cheese casserole Apricot Ritz Wheat French bread Dump cake - Walnut Ice Cream – coffee - tea Mr. Davis also provided his guests some delightful entertainment through his many talents as a musician and ventriloquist. He played his Yamaha reproducing grand piano, a Grand Estey reed organ, and a Hammond organ. Other entertainment included a ventriloquist show done by Mr. Davis, who, along with his Charlie McCarthy dummy, assumed the role made famous by former radio and television personality, Edgar Bergen. Guests were also treated to a rarely seen Laurel and Hardy silent film entitled Liberty. We would like to thank Mr. Roy Davis for allowing the group to come to his home and for making the trip even more enjoyable through his friendliness and warm hospitality!” - The Warren County Genealogical Association
Thank You NCA Family and Friends For your wonderful stories and remembrances paying tribute to our friend Roy A. Davis
May Roy Rest in Peace and May His Memory Be Eternal.
Falconhurst, built by Asa Faulkner in 1848
Roy Davis and his friend Charlie McCarthy
National Cave & Karst Day
June 6, 2018
OFFICIAL 2018 Poster It was a last minute idea from Claudia Yundt “Why not have an official 2018 National Caves & Karst Day poster that our guests might receive when visiting a cave on June 6, 2018?” NCA President John Graves and Executive Director Bob Holt totally agreed. John came up with the poster image and Shawn Painter of Luray Caverns did 99% of the work putting the wording in place. Many thanks goes out to Claudia for the idea and contacting all of you to see if you wanted to participate. We appreciate Squire Boone Village for producing the posters for us. 1000 posters were ordered and the following caves met our quantity needed for an order: Lake Shasta Caverns, Ohio Caverns, Seneca Caverns, OH, Squire Boone Caverns, Meramec Caverns, Lost Sea, and Luray Caverns, Diamond Caverns, Marengo Cave and Glenwood Caverns. “Since we ordered 1000 posters the price was dropped in half. We got them for less than one dollar each!” said Claudia.
A Press Release and Talking Points will be sent to all member caves very soon!
Thank You Note “Please accept our sincere thank you to you, the NCA Board and the entire membership. Your thoughts and prayers and most beautiful floral arrangement were very much appreciated. Words cannot convey how special and uplifting we felt by your deep sense of caring. The card on the flowers read ‘from your friends at the NCA’… you have indeed been great friends. We can’t thank you enough for caring so much.” Sincerely, Keith Dobrolinsky Family
(On the passing of his brother Darryl M. Dobrolinsky
WNS Report WNS was found at Mt. Rainier National Park - 4 of 24 bats swabbed at Mt. Rainier in May 2017 were recently analyzed and had the fungus on them. Bats use this site in spring and summer, but it is unknown where they hibernate Kansas is now the 32nd state with confirmed WNS.. Several dead bats collected in southeast and south central Kansas tested positive. The fungus has been found on several species of bats in central Texas, including a Mexican free-tailed bat. Although no signs of the disease were seen, this is the first time a Mexican free-tailed bat had the fungus. By migrating instead of of hibernating, biologists think free-tails will spread the disease faster. Vandals broke into an old iron mine near Norway, Michigan. The mine was formerly home to over 20,000 bats, but now only a few thousand have survived WNS. The vandals damaged e gate blocking the entrance, disturbed hibernating bats, stole cameras and signs, and compromised an experiment on the treatment of WNS. Patty Perlaky WNS Chair
Ruby Falls on Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
DID YOU SEE IT?!! Shout out to Jimmy Fallon and Evan Rachel Wood for the awesome mention of Ruby Falls April 19 on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. You made us blush say the folks at Ruby!
Watch the entire segment or start it at 2:23 to see what Evan Rachel Wood and Jimmy Fallon say about Ruby Falls! You never know who is going to be in your tour group 1,120 feet underground at Ruby Falls!
Watch Ruby Falls on Tonight Show
Convention Registration Winner
Thanks to those who took time to fill out the online survey regarding our 2018 convention. We are happy to announce our winner goes to the folks from War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake. Congratulations goes out to Dennis and Vicki Boyer, they will receive one complimentary registration for the Colorado Convention. You heard (read) it here first!! Our June edition of Cave Talk will have more Convention 2018 information at which time registration will open. Until then, visit our Convention page on the NCA website: http://cavern.com/Members/convention.asp
Watch Video here: Glenwood Caverns Convention
Sympathy Passing along the news that Ron Kerbo’s wife Diannia recently passed away from cancer. She was a wonderful lady. Ron is a legend in the cave world and has always been a friend to the show cave industry. Ron was at Carlsbad Caverns National Park for many years.
Brad Wuest
Thank You to the NCA Membership… “Thank you for the beautiful basket of lavender roses for Roy’s funeral. Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.” Mary E. Thrower
Falconhurst McMinnville, Tn The Asa Faulkner home built in 1848 is on the National Register of Historic Places. Falconhurst has been owned and restored by Roy Davis. Faulkner Cemetery is just over the hill from the house and is the location of Roy’s burial plot.
Calendar of Events
National Cave and Karst Day, June 6, 2018 NSS Convention 2018, Helena, Montana, July 29 – August 4, 2018 NCA Convention 2018, Host: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, September 24 – 28, 2018 ISCA 8th Congress 2018, Genga, Italy, October 9 – 21, 2018 International Gift Exposition in the Smokies 2018, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, (Dates TBD) IAAPA 2018, Orlando, Florida, November 13 - 16, 2018 National Cave and Karst Day, June 6, 2019 NCA Convention 2019, Host: Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, Tennessee, (Dates TBD) IAAPA 2019, Orlando, Florida, November 19 - 22, 2019 National Cave and Karst Day, June 6, 2020 NCA Convention 2020, Host: Lake Shasta Caverns, Lakehead, California, (Dates TBD) National Cave and Karst Day, June 6, 2021
Got News? Please make sure you let Bob Holt know when you have news to share with the membership regarding you and your cave. It is the goal of the NCA office to continue producing monthly issues of Cave Talk and this can only happen when you help with the sharing of your news. Please send your articles, photographs to [email protected].
June 2018 Cave Talk Deadline
Please have all articles to Bob Holt no later than May 15. Thank you!