David Wimp keeps counting and counting From Out West #26, April 1994 By Chuck Woodbury Of all the characters I've met in my travels, David Wimp has the most unusual hobby, although some folks would consider it a compulsion. David Wimp counts, and counts, and counts -- with a calculator machine. In his hometown of Riverton, Wyo., the local eccentric has earned the nickname, "The Count." I met David in action in 1989. I wrote about him shortly thereafter in Out West, and people have inquired about him ever since. His appearance in Out West led to other media appearances including the Geraldo Show, where Wimp counted before millions. It's been more than two years since our last "Wimp Update." So, here again, is the story of our number one favorite "character." RIVERTON, Wyo. -- David Wimp is a counter. For 12 years, the retired Army cook has been adding numbers on a calculating machine. In 1982, he punched in the number one. Then he added one to that, then one to that, and he's never stopped. He's closing in on six million. The bookcase in his modest home is stacked high with homemade rolls of calculator tapes -- strips of colored construction paper taped to strips of white computer paper. Wimp doesn't believe in buying ready-made tape -- too white and boring. So, he makes his own. Laid end to end, his current tally would stretch more than 20 miles. Wimp, 48, started counting in high school. A teacher promised him an "A" if he could write from number one to one million in nine days. "I wrote down the numbers with a pencil, but only got to 25,000," he recalled. He didn't calculate much for the next 20 years. Then, after retiring from the Army, he sprang into action. On February 26, 1989, he punched in an incredible 7,070 numbers. He did it, as he still does, at his desk in front of the television. After reaching two million, he got bored with the addition key, so he switched to the minus key and calculated backward to zero. Then, once again, he began punching forward. Why does he do it? "It's my hobby. I enjoy it," he said. He recently married his fourth wife, Mary. Yet, marital bliss has not slowed his passion for counting. He still punches numbers at all hours, stopping only to shop or to attend to his business, Wimp Lawn Service. "I have about six or seven customers now," he said. "We cut and trim grass. I dump the grass in the bags, and Mary ties up the bags and throws them on the trailer." She does not, however, help him calculate. "She doesn't even ask," he explained, although she does help tape together the calculator paper. Wimp was a bachelor for nine years before placing a newspaper personal ad in early 1992 seeking a companion. Mary responded, and despite learning of Wimp's time-hogging hobby, it was love at first punchkey. Back then, Wimp worked as a trash hauler for Lee Sanitation, and he would bring Mary along on his routes. She'd ride, and he'd dump. After work, David would count and Mary would put together puzzles, her hobby. But trash hauling was not to be Wimp's calling. "The company policy allowed only three accidents and I had three," he explained. "I hit a steel post in an oil field and backed into garages and stuff. So I quit." Which left him more time to count. His passion for numbers has not gone unnoticed by the media. He's been flown to New York and Los Angeles to appear on TV shows. "But no more," he said. "If they want me they'll have to come here. Everybody in New York is in such a hurry. They honk for nothing." What does the future hold for David Wimp? "I plan to count to a billion," he said, although anyone with a good slide rule can figure it would take a few lifetimes. But, no matter. If, by some magic, he should do it, a reward awaits: The local Riverton Ranger newspaper promises to write a story.
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and counting and counting and ...