Daniel “Dan” Van Boxtel
Daniel “Dan” Van Boxtel, age 67, of Boulder City, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer.
Dan was born and raised on the family dairy farm in Freedom, Wisconsin on February 13, 1954. He was the youngest of eight children born to the late John and Ann (Van Schyndel) Van Boxtel. His love of “working the land” and working with his hands was a continuous thread throughout his life.
Within months of graduating from high school, Dan was drafted for service in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. As one of the last draftees, he was proud of the fact that he served his country and was protective of the United States Flag and what it represented.
After a stint working in heavy construction, Dan began a long and productive career in facility maintenance, historic preservation, and fire management with the National Park Service. He worked in numerous locations including; Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico); Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas); Friendship Hill and Johnstown Flood National Historic Sites (Pennsylvania); Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park (California, Nevada); and Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Nevada, Arizona), before retiring in 2012. For 30 years, Dan was dedicated to ensuring the cultural and historical places in the National Park Service were cared for and preserved for future generations.
Dan met the love of his life, (Mary) Blair Davenport while working at Scotty’s Castle. They were married on March 20, 1992 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dan enjoyed gardening (he was most proud of his tomatoes!), going to the local gun range, wood working, planting and harvesting on friends’ ranches and farms, and traveling.
Dan is survived by his wife Blair, Boulder City, NV. He is further survived by his brother and sister-in-law Robert (Nancy) Van Boxtel, Freedom, WI; his sister and brother-in-law Mary Lou (LeRoy) Fritsch, Freedom, WI; and sisters Patricia Hammen, Kaukauna, WI, Elaine Venderhoof, Green Bay, WI, Judy Vermeern, Appleton, WI, and Bonnie Ness, Green Bay, WI. Dan leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Dan was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Jean (William) Taylor, Milwaukee, WI.
In keeping with Dan’s wishes, a private funeral service will take place at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. In lieu of gifts, flowers, or donations, your presence is welcome at a celebration of life to be held at a later date. In the meantime, please raise a glass of beer to Dan’s memory when you think of him!
16 Comments. Leave new
Im going to have three beers one for Dan one for me and one for all the good times we had together. Going to miss you my friend !
A wonderful outlining of Dan’s life! We will really miss him! A very special man and friend! Here’s to you Dan, Proust and Saludos Amigo❤️😊❤️
Dan may you Rest In Peace! Godspeed my friend! I will never forget your laugh and smile. You were a joy to just be around. I loved working with you and Blair at Damboree and was always a great time with you! When we’d all meet up at Jack’s place you made it even more fun! Thank you for your service to our country. It was an honor and a pleasure to call you my friend. Watch over Blair from above and we will be from down here! Cheers till we meet again! Love, Marcie
Rest in peace and Godspeed! The world lost a wonderful man and gained one mighty angel. You had the greatest smile and laugh that was contagious. It was so much fun working with you and Blair at Damboree and hanging out at the Cup, Jack’s place, or wherever the “gang” happened to be. You were just a joy to be around. Thank- you for your service to our country. It is an honor and a pleasure to call you my friend. Please watch over Blair from up there and we will be from down here. Love, Marcie
I only met Dan while visiting my brother. He was a stand up guy. Thanks for his service for this country! God Bless!!
Dan was one of the finest men I ever met,he was the real McCoy a man of his word.Dan was a joy to work with a true professional and wealth of knowledge.I enjoyed every moment we had with Dan. He is already truly missed Fly High my heroe Rest In Peace Sir
Dan’s obituary captures him well. He was also a great friend. A skilled storyteller, he was quick to bring a smile or hysterical laughing to his audience. He told things as he saw them, a trait that I much admired. Dan worked hard and played hard. I treasure the time spent with Dan and Blair at the ranch in Beatty and their home in Boulder City (among other places) with dogs Lucky and Buddha. We miss you, Dan.
I first met Dan in the navy. We shared everything at that time. He was like a brother I never had, he’d come home with me on leave and had his first taco in Davenport, IA. He stayed with me for a while and helped me redo my kitchen while adding a nice shelving divider between my kitchen and living room. He stopped by my house when he was heading west. Said all he needed was a fishing pole and a circular saw and he headed west. Never seen him again but still kept in touch throughout the years. Til we meet again.
Rip uncle dan
I have heard wonderful stories about him thru my mom Bonita VanBoxtel Ness. She said he was an amazing man and I wish that I had the opportunity to meet him!!!! I am sending love, hugs, peaceful healing thoughts and prayers to you!!!!!!
We enjoyed the times we spent together at the Trehubenko Family get togethers. Sending love to Blair and to the family. Dan will be missed but all his good works in his life will live on as a living memory. May all find peace in your hearts.
Dan’s passing is such a shock. He was such a wonderful storyteller and jokester. I loved when he found Blair because he seemed to become whole. He became an extended family member and was always welcomed with open arms. Our hearts ache. 💔
He enjoyed life and knowing all the many accomplishments he achieved through his lifes journey says what kind of a genuine person he was.
Donna Huettl (cousin)
Dan was my cousin and I remember him from my younger years, he was always smiling, happy and really enjoyed life. From all the comments it sounds like he never wavered from just loving life, working hard and accomplishing so many achievements. Now another journey begins for him and he will do well.
Shalom
Yes, all so true. All those good things and kind words people are saying about Dan are so, so true. He was truly one of the nicest people I knew. As good looking as he was nice, and not a smidgen of conceit or arrogance in him. So much like his Mom, as I feel all the kids in Dan’s family were. Dan’s Mom, my Aunt Ann, was my Dad’s sister. And yes, the hearty laughter …… we all know that as the “Van Schyndel laugh.”
All the Van Schyndel men, including my Dad, Dan’s “Uncle George —” all had that hearty, jovial laugh. Dan’s Mom, too, and his Aunt Dolores …….. Aunt Marie could laugh, too ……..Aunt Dorothy. That “Van Schyndel” heart-laugh was really special — down-to-earth, full-of-life, joy ……
I’m so glad for Dan that he lived such a beautiful, fulfilling life, enriching so many with his beautiful personality and sharp wit, his care — like his Mom — and his great love and respect for all of Creation, and all his knowledge for caring for it that developed throughout his life.
What a legacy!! I am truly, truly gratified — and so honored — to have had him and to know him as my cousin.
And yes, he liked a cold brew … or two ….. as did I. 🙂
(Now I know why I’ve been hankerin’ for one these hot, sticky days ……. 🙂 Somewhere in the Universe, a memory within my heart was being tugged by those invisible, but eternal heart-strings 🙂 )
To Dan’s family ~~ Yes, you’ve lost someone very, very special. And he was just way, way too young.
But you are so very, very lucky to have had him in your life …… so very, very lucky. You are all the better for having had him as a brother, uncle, cousin, spouse, in-law, ……..
That Dan lived his most cherished values to the fullest is a great inspiration for me; it is of much encouragement. I truly, truly appreciate “all” of “who” Dan was …….
The deepest and richest “PEACE” to all ~~
Dan’s cousin, Lindy (Van Schyndel)
Dearest Dan, We were good friends at Carlsbad Caverns. I needed a friend in those days. And there you were. I will always remember coming over on some Sunday mornings. You would turn on the Doors, we would go outside your backdoor and have cold ones. I am sending your family, your Blair so many thoughts and prayers. I’ll never forget you.