Daniel Earle Fries

Dan was the cherished son of Earle and Julia Fries and the younger brother of Debi Mercer, with whom he shared a deep bond and a love for skiing.

Growing up in the idyllic college town of Claremont, California, Dan's early years were filled with adventure and family connections. His family later moved to Culver City, where he graduated high school. Dan's passion for helping others led him to work at Rawhide Boys Ranch in Wisconsin for three summers after high school.

He went on to earn degrees in History and Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he famously rode his bike through LA traffic to attend classes.

In 1976, he married Linda Santucci, embarking on a 25-year career in sales. During this time, Dan developed a love for endurance sports, including running, cycling, and triathlons, forging lasting friendships through his athletic pursuits.

In 1980, Dan and Linda moved to Portland, Oregon, and welcomed their daughter, Alison, in 1987. The family later relocated to Pleasanton, California, where their son, Michael, was born in 1990.

As a dedicated father, Dan took immense joy in coaching his children, traveling the world with them, and engaging in passionate discussions about politics and history. In 2001, Dan transitioned from corporate sales to entrepreneurship, partnering with his friend Dan Carhardt to open a Minuteman Press franchise. They worked together for 17 years until Dan's cancer diagnosis in 2018, after which he focused on spending quality time with his family.

Dan is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda; his children, Michael and Alison (and her husband, Matt Jones); and his cherished grandchildren: Juliana, Miles, Beckham, and Marlowe.

His love for family, friends, and a desire to understand the world remained his guiding passions until the end.