More Than a Delivery: Dave’s Legacy of Service on Alaska’s Roads
At APD, we believe a fuel truck isn’t just a truck, and a delivery driver isn’t just dropping off diesel. They’re often the friendly face in a snowstorm, the roadside helper in the middle of nowhere, and the reason the furnace kicks on when it’s -30.
And if you’ve lived in the area anytime in the last few decades, there’s a good chance Dave Fogarty is that driver.
Dave’s been part of the APD team since 1988. He’s got over 35 years of experience, hundreds of stories, and a reputation for getting the job done with zero fuss and a whole lot of heart.
Digging Out and Driving On
Ask Dave about memorable moments, and he’ll give you one right off the bat:
“Quite a few years ago, I was delivering fuel at a shop,” he recalls. “The tank was pretty close to the building, so I had to get on top of it with a ladder to take out one of the fill points. I took it out, and fell off the tank. I ended up stuck in the snow between the tank and the building, laying sideways. Had to dig myself out.”
Tough conditions aren’t anything new for Dave, especially when he’s working the Dalton Highway, the infamous stretch of road that runs 500 miles north from Fairbanks to Deadhorse.
“You go 28 miles north of town and your phone quits,” Dave points out. You won’t get a signal again for 250 miles. Half the road is still gravel. There’s only two spots where you can get fuel or a tire fixed.”
Which is why Dave doesn’t just pack snacks. He loads up his truck with tools, spare parts, and enough gear to help himself and anyone else he might run into. In fact, he’s lent a hand to more stranded motorists than he can remember.
“There was one time near Livengood, this guy was trying to change a tire,” Dave says. “But his spare was flat. I plugged it up for him and got him back on the road. A week later, he showed up at the office and gave me a gift card for dinner. Didn’t expect that, but it was nice.”
Other times, he’s waited with crash victims until emergency crews could arrive, or helped travelers patch together just enough repair to make it to the next gas station.
“I don’t know about pride for myself doing the job,” he says, “but I feel good about what I do when I can help somebody out.”
What Keeps Him Coming Back
Dave’s career started with home heating deliveries around Fairbanks. You’d get assigned a route, and over time, those regular stops turned into something more personal.
“There was one schoolteacher I used to deliver to,” Dave recalls. “He used to leave cookies tied to the fill point when I came by. He knew I was coming.”
That kind of connection matters to Dave, and it stuck with him. Whether it’s a front porch or a lonely stretch of highway, he’s the kind of guy who shows up when it counts.
What else gets Dave up in the morning? “My boss, Eric, and the crew I work with are good guys,” he says simply. “It doesn’t feel like, ‘Oh, I gotta go to work today.’” Which is Dave-speak for this job ain’t bad.
This is What Local Looks Like
Dave may not ask for a spotlight, but during National Safety Month, we’re giving him one anyway. Because long-haulers like Dave are the reason APD keeps rolling. He’s reliable, knows the job like the back of his (probably fuel-streaked) hand, and always ready to help when safety’s on the line.
Here’s to the next 500 miles.
Want to hear more from Dave? He was featured on the Northbound Alaska: The Trucking Files podcast. Catch the full episode here.
