Dan Eskelson was a beloved and creative man, known for his kindness and gentle nature. Dan was born on June 8, 1947, in Bellevue, Ohio, where he lived with his parents (Melvin and Paula (Seltzer)), sister Annie and brother John. They moved to LaCanada, California in 1953 where Dan lived until the early 70’s.

From early on, Dan displayed a passion for learning, a natural curiosity and a dedication to explore new interests, qualities he maintained throughout his life by teaching himself many useful and creative skills, like Morse Code, several instruments (banjo, flute, hammered dulcimer), photography, landscape design, construction, organic gardening and web design/ maintenance. Dan valued his community and was often found immersed in projects that brought benefit and beauty to many.

Dan described his ‘moral compass’ as 'a product of all the sorrows and joys, failures and successes, and wins and losses (he has encountered) over the years.”

He met and married Cindy (Davison) Eskelson in 1974 and moved from Northern California to the Okanogan Valley in Washington. In 1978 they found their way to Priest River, Idaho, where they raised their four children; Jessica (Joel Guiterrez), Zach, Ryan (Hannah), and Joe (Bonnie), all who brought him immense joy and pride. With eight grandchildren and one great-grandson, along with many other family members, Dan’s legacy will live on through the generations he influenced. His family, friends and beloved community will remember him fondly and forever hold him in their hearts.

Dan was diagnosed with aggressive Melanoma in April 2023, which quickly progressed to Stage 4 and spread throughout his body. Despite the challenges, he faced this journey with grace and courage and remained resilient and hopeful to the end. Surrounded by his family, he peacefully passed away at home on August 4, 2024, at the age of 77. His memory lives on through the impact he made on those who knew him and the lessons he imparted through his strength and resilience.

A community event to celebrate Dan’s life will be held at the Priest River Event Center on Saturday, September 14th at 2pm, where friends and loved ones can come together to honor his memory and share stories of his kindness and creativity. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to help support this gathering and continue Dan’s legacy through a GoFundMe account (Celebrate Dan’s Life With Us). The outpouring of support from the community reflects the profound impact Dan had on those around him and the love he shared with everyone he met.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Newport, Washington is in charge of the arrangements and family and friends are encouraged to share their cherished memories, photos, and condolences on Dan’s memorial page on their website (www.shermancampbell.com). His gentle spirit and creative soul live on through the stories and memories shared by those who knew and loved him, preserving his legacy for years to come. In honoring Dan Eskelson, we celebrate a life welllived and a man whose kindness and creativity will never be forgotten.

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