Quick-witted, generous, heart of gold, loved his family.
Dan was a fiercely loyal son and brother to six siblings. Anyone who knew could attest that he was a wonderful, kind, caring, and intentional person. His love for his family was the cornerstone of his life.
In remembering Dan as a child, his sister Meagan said he loved to dress up. He had a Batman, Joker, cowboy, and many other costumes. His love for dress-up carried into adulthood, as his favorite holiday was Halloween. He wouldn’t tell you what he was going to be; you had to wait and be surprised every year.
Megan remembers the best family vacation as adults was a trip to Hawaii. All nine family members went to celebrate their sister Emilie’s college graduation. Extended family also attended. It was very special to everyone. It was also the last trip they were with their grandmother. She died two weeks later.
Dan loved to collect, buy, sell, and give away skateboards. He was a brilliant welder of art and antique cars, and an incredibly talented welder. Dan made usable pieces of art out of scrap metal, tables with glass tabletops, lamps, and welded artwork. He gave much of it to his family.
Working at a car garage, he was surrounded by a group of guys who truly cared about him. He was extremely talented at his craft and knowledgeable about cars and welding; a true artist.
Dan beat his own drum. He had tattoos, swore, and sometimes had a mohawk and huge sideburns. He wore crazy T-shirts. Dan lived life the best he could with what he was dealt. He was an incredibly generous soul. Meagan has fond memories of his smile, his laugh, and his silly jokes. She always knew Dan to have a problem with alcohol as an adult. It was always a part of who he was, unfortunately, just part of how he grew up. Dan’s biggest and hardest goal to achieve was getting and staying sober.
The family understood the hardest aspect of living with someone experiencing substance use disorder is the constant desire to help them, even though you can’t change them. “All we can do is love them unconditionally. It’s hard to come to terms with that. It’s our nature to help and nurture. But they have to want to change,” Megan said.
The first time Meagan saw Dan sober for ten years was July, 2023. He lifted his head out from under the hood of a car, saw her, and smiled. She hugged him, held his face in her hands, and told him, “I see you. I see your eyes. They are so clear.” She will never forget that moment.
Megan has learned to live her life more fully since Dan’s death. She created a clothing line in remembrance of her brother. Meagan intends to use proceeds toward education and awareness about alcoholism and addiction for young people. One message she shares is that life is short and can change dramatically in the blink of an eye. Make the best of it.
Megan commented, “I want to speak my brother’s name. I don’t want him to be forgotten.”
Daniel’s sister, Meagan Schmitt, provided the information for this narrative.
November 23, 1987-September 10, 2023-Age 35
Portrait Artist:
Narrative Writer: Lynn McKnight
