Dan was born December 9, 1949 to Vincent and Joyce Graaff in Oakridge, OR, later relocating to Ellensburg, WA. As the first born of eight siblings, Dan showed leadership skills from the very beginning. When he was young, he helped work the farm with his uncles, brothers and cousins, tending the fields, milking (and singing to) the cows, and raising pigs for market with his brother Ron. His work ethic from a young age came in handy for the whole family. In high school, he joined the start of the local Kittitas County Search and Rescue team and became the team leader, where he learned survival skills and how to save lives in the wilderness along with seven other guys.

After high school graduation, Dan joined the U.S. Navy and left for San Diego—a big change for a farm boy from Ellensburg. On the ship he worked in electrical engineering and communications. He later relocated to Portland, and after honorable discharge in 1974, he bought a house and began studying economics at Portland State University. Shortly thereafter, he met his future wife, Janet. Together they built a bond through laughter and fun times, sailing the Columbia and skiing with friends.

Dan worked in marketing and business development, and always had an eagerness to improve his surroundings. He spent a lot of time volunteering with the Portland Public Schools foundation and served as Band Booster President. After retiring from Graphic Arts Center, he took on projects around the house, frequently visiting Parkrose Hardware, which led to joining their team as the barbecue chef. His role grew from demoing grills one day a week to becoming known in the community as Chef Dan, the BBQ master in all five stores. Anyone who came across him left as a better cook after hearing his advice—likely with a new barbecue and a bag of sauces in tow. In his final days, even through monumental pain and sickness, he organized and cooked for the holiday employee appreciation events, orchestrating the last ones from his hospital bed by phone.

This demonstrates the kind of man he was. He always showed up for people, helped, offered advice, and a laugh for anyone who needed it. The words people continually reach for when speaking of him to us is “energy”. He made people feel loved and appreciated. He was known to light up any room he walked into, always with a smile, a big bear hug, and a story to tell. He loved his mom and dad and brothers and sisters, who all helped create the loving, solid man who has impacted all of our lives. Above all else, Dan’s greatest passions were his wife Janet and his daughter Allison. He was always involved and present, creating lifetime memories with Allison through horse ownership, soccer coaching, skiing, music, and wise advice like “no stinkin’ thinkin’” any time she needed it. He was the best dad a girl could ever ask for.

In December 2022, shortly before his 73rd birthday, Dan started feeling excruciating pain in his stomach. Multiple weeks of doctors visits and hospital stays revealed his diagnoses of stage 4 cancer by the new year. Throughout this devastating news, Dan remained ultra positive, with a smile on his face and determination to get better for himself and his family and friends. His loss has left a big hole in our lives, and he will be greatly missed but forever in our hearts.