We have come to appreciate Dan for many things, most notably his spiritual strength, trust, humor, and devotion to our mission as a church. He once told us that he wants to be remembered not for what he did while at St Stephen's, but for what we accomplished under his leadership. And we've done a lot. He will be remembered not just for the length of his tenure at St Stephen's, but for its richness and lasting impact.
Born in Waukegon, Illinois, Dan received a BA in history from Carthage College in southern Illinios before coming to Minnesota in the 1960's to attand graduate school at the University of Minnesota School of Public Administration. Fortunately for us he never went back to his home state. After attending Northwestern Seminary (today it's Luther Seminary), he was ordained in 1969 and answered a call at Grace Lutheran Church in Deephaven. In 1977 he received a law degree and a year later became pastor at St Stephen's.
While serving our congregation, Dan has been actively involved in the White Bear Lake community. He was a firefighter in the city's fire departmen for 20 years, rising to the position of assistant chief. Currently, he is the chaplain of the city's fire and police departments. Dan is a dean of 23 Lutheran churches, serving as a minister to other pastors.
We all may relate to Dan in a variety of ways, in part because in every sense of the word he is a renaissance man of our times. Besides his careers as a pastor and fireman, Dan at one time or another has been a musican, an attorney, a softball player and umpire, animal lover who has blessed many of the pets of his flock, and parliamentarian at synod conventions. He once worked with members of the congregation as a part-time brewmaster. He is an avid fan and lifelong follower of the Chicago Cubs.
Dan and his wife Dottie will continue to reside in our community, where they have raised their two sons, Steve and Andy.
We wish Dan a retirement that will be as long and successful as the career he leaves behind.
