Dan Dykwel
March 31, 1952-Nov. 6, 2014
Palo Alto, California

Dan Dykwel -- beloved husband and father, sincere friend and devoted community leader -- passed away Nov. 6 at Stanford Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Dan believed in Palo Alto and committed himself to making our community a better place. He served children and our public schools as president of the district-wide PTA Council, president of the Paly PTSA, member of the PAUSD Program Review Committee for the 20-year Facilities Master Plan, founding member of Project Safety Net and fundraising co-chair for Youth Community Service, among many activities. In 2009, he received the PTA's Golden Oak award for exemplary service to youth. He also served the community on the board of Midpeninsula Media Center, as president of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and as member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Palo Alto Public Safety Building.

Working together, Dan and his wife Sunny resurrected the Black and White Ball, as well as helped organize many additional efforts to raise funds for public needs, including campaigns for the school bond, parcel tax and library. Indeed, Dan and Sunny were a dynamic pair who drew people from around town to work together on building our community. Their home was always a warm and welcoming gathering place. Dan's attitude was always, "We can make this happen," and Sunny's energy made it so.

With his creative ideas and signature sense of humor, Dan was appreciated by those who worked with him. Dan's knack for opening up conversations to explore new ideas is a reason why so much got accomplished when Dan was involved and why all the participants felt good about the results.

Dan enjoyed good food, good wine and season tickets to the symphony. In the past year, he and Sunny made the most of their stay in San Francisco through frequent visits to the art museums. Showing his love of art, even while in the hospital, he visited the Anderson Collection. He also loved cheering on the Giants with Sunny, as well as watching the America's Cup races. Many remember fondly his being the only man in a group of women walking the Dish.

Dan was born and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University with honors and was an avid sailor. He had over 25 years experience in marketing communications and also worked with Sunny in a highly successful Realtor team. He was 62.

Most of all, he enjoyed time with family, whether going to movies, playing with grandchildren, taking the family to see various parts of the world, trying exotic cuisine or otherwise exposing the family to new experiences. Dan was a best friend and mentor to his sons, Devon and Louie.

A believer in human agency and volition, Dan imbued his boys with an appreciation for sheer possibility. He knew that freedom of thought is what offers freedom in life, and so through open-mindedness and education as virtue, his kids grew up free. He understood the value of intimacy and the worth in exchanging ideas and emotions; he was a journal in the flesh for his sons, who called him daily, excited to share experiences and charming revelations. To them, he was and ever will be the definition of a best friend. And while it is impossible to encapsulate Dan -- for how can one wrap a gift that is ubiquitous? -- the honor in his deeds, the echo of his laughter and the vibrancy of his fashion sense give form to a personality most cherished. Like a day at the beach, a favorite destination of his, Dan revitalized the mind and charged that, as waves upon the shore do, one reach far before reaching farther still.

Dan is survived by the love-of-his-life and partner, his wife Sunny; sons Devon and Louie; daughter-in-law Maria; granddaughters Aubrey and Chloe; his mother Lois in Bend, Oregon, sister Linda, and brother James; and many more family members and friends. His absence leaves a hole in many lives.

Tags: business, public service