David ("Dave") Bryant was honored as the 1997 Tustin Area Man of the Year, one of Tustin's highest civic recognitions for volunteer service. The award recognized his longstanding commitment to preserving Tustin's history and serving the community.

Some of his notable contributions include:
1 ) President, Tustin Area Historical Society – In 1997, Bryant served as president of the society, helping expand museum attendance and educational programs for local schools. Under his leadership, the society experienced one of its strongest years in visitor participation.

2 ) Historic preservation – He was a dedicated advocate for preserving Tustin's heritage, working with volunteers to collect artifacts, maintain archives, and support the Historical Society Museum.

3 ) Longtime volunteer – Records from the Historical Society note that Bryant joined the organization in 1989 and remained an active volunteer for many years, contributing to museum operations, community events, and historical preservation efforts.

4 ) Community recognition – His selection as 1997 Tustin Area Man of the Year reflects the impact of his volunteer leadership. The Tustin Area Man and Woman of the Year program has honored exceptional community volunteers since 1957

Dave was a member of the Coffee Klatch group, part of the Tustin Coffee Club, representing the Tustin Area Museum.

A "coffee klatch" is a casual social gathering for drinking coffee, eating light snacks, and engaging in informal conversation or catching up on the latest news.