Daniel Lee Morkert passed away on March 1, 2024, at Hopewell Hospice in Portland, Oregon, with family at his side. His death followed an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Shortly after his last breath, a quiet snow fell from the sky — a comfort to us as Dan went home to God. Dan was born to Margaret Colleen Gadeberg and Claude Delbert Morkert on September 26, 1955, in Moses Lake, Washington. He was the youngest of two flaxen-haired boys, raised with love and humble means in the aftermath of the Depression. Dan’s mother was a devoted caretaker who worked for the state Department of Agriculture. She taught her sons responsibility and wanted them to see the world. She drove them to Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake in Montana on her own, when Dan was 9 years old—a rare feat for a woman in those days. Dan’s father, who was a welder and, in the Navy, passed away when Dan was 15. Colleen remarried Charles McGinn, who taught Dan and his brother the value of hard work and discipline in keeping up a home and property. He and his brother developed an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. They established a gallon jug delivery business, delivering to A&Ws and other stores in Eastern and Central Washington. This commitment to physical labor stayed with Dan; he grew up to be an economical man who worked tirelessly to save up and help others, pouring his strength into work and faith. Even as a small child, Dan’s heart was big; friends he made in school stayed with him for life. In high school, Dan was a talented wrestler and runner, competing at the highest levels. At his peak, he could run two miles in 10 minutes and 20 seconds. He was also a lifelong lover of music. He learned to play the guitar and took up opportunities to play and sing in church choir bands when he could. Dan used a small inheritance from his late father to enroll in Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Washington. After his freshman year, he transferred to sunnier skies at Arizona State University where he majored in business administration and excelled in academics. He went on to earn his MBA from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business. He was certified as a Chartered Financial Analyst, a rigorous post-graduate certification for finance professionals. He also attended Stanford’s Advanced Management Program through the Graduate School of Business. Dan was a sharp, fast learner who could read something once, remember it, and apply the information effectively. It was no surprise he was successful in the competitive field of finance, eventually becoming a director of mergers and acquisitions. Dan met Terrea Arnwine at ASU in 1977. As an interracial couple in the 70s, they faced challenges, but their families embraced each other. The two married and had two children, Jessica and Jordan Morkert. They later divorced, but remained steadfast in their commitment as parents. Dan raised Jessica and Jordan with compassion and responsibility; he was so proud to be their dad. He always pushed his kids to be brave and try new things. He instilled in his children the value of earning rather than receiving, emphasizing the importance of hard work and perseverance. As grandma used to say, “money isn’t something you get, but something you earn.” Dan encouraged Jessica to pursue music and cheered from the sidelines of countless soccer games for Jordan. He prayed with his children every night, so they knew that not only was he there for them — God was, too. Faith was the guiding light of Dan’s life. “He was thoughtful, reflective, and deeply sincere about knowing God as intimately as he could,” recalled his college friend, Matt Wadsworth. He prayed and read the bible every day in college. He did this throughout his life. Reading Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger inspired Dan to fight for justice through faith. Influenced by such books and his upbringing, he saw himself as a steward of the resources he was blessed with. Those closest to him sometimes teased him about his frugality, but Dan was incredibly responsible with money, refusing to spend simply because he could afford it. He never envied others for what they had; instead, he focused on being a diligent steward of his own blessings. Above all, he felt a deep sense of responsibility to take care of those in his care as well as others. Dan was generous and kind — the kind of friend you could count on in difficult times. He also had a wry sense of humor. He had a way of cracking the perfect joke in a moment that might not seem fit for humor. Coming from anyone else, it could be brash. But Dan had a way of breaking through sadness to make people smile. During the week we received the diagnosis, as the physicians were going over his current medications, Dan made a characteristic quip about one of them, saying, 'Well, this prescription will probably last me the rest of my life. He brought light into dark moments and made everyone around him feel safe and loved. Dan exercised throughout much of his life, including with his children. He loved sports (golf in particular), movies, and live music. He traveled often with his kids and enjoyed learning about our nation’s history and the cultures of other countries. Dan met Nathalie in Montreal, Canada, while on a business trip, and it didn't take long for them to fall for one another. They exchanged vows in September 2003 and shared 20 beautiful years together. In his later years, Dan embraced the significant challenge of learning French, motivated by his deep desire to be closer to Nathalie and her family. Their shared interests brought them even closer, as they enjoyed meditation, massage, their love for cats and involvement in cat rescue, and practicing yoga together. Their bond was a testament to their shared values and love for each other. Dan called Arizona home for most of his adult life. In 2014, he retired and began enjoying many typical retirement activities, like golfing and playing the guitar. He joined a band again. One of his favorite songs to play was Neil Young’s Heart of Gold. He maintained many friendships and his regular service to faith. We are all better for having known the goodness of Dan. In his life, he spread so much love, comfort, and support. In his absence, we will continue that work. Dan is survived by his wife, Nathalie; his brother, Steven Morkert; his son, Jordan Morkert; his daughter, Jessica Morkert-Shibley; and his grandchildren, Jacob Shibley, Olivia Morkert, and Lyla Morkert. For those who wish to honor Dan’s memory, consider contributions to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or PANCAN, one of the foremost organizations providing funding for research and support for people with and affected by pancreatic cancer. Dan was also a lifetime contributor to Amnesty International. We have been deeply touched by the many stories shared with us about our father and would be grateful to continue hearing from those who remember him and hold fond memories. Plans for a celebration of life will be announced later.