Ketchum resident Dan Schiavone died on May 28, 2010, from complications of a bike accident in Denver, Colo. He was surrounded by his family when he passed on.
Dan was born June 18, 1928, in San Francisco, where he attended Lowell High School. After high school, he served in the Marine Corps. He graduated from the University of Southern California, where he received the Order of the Palm (Outstanding Senior) for his graduating class. In this period, he discovered surfing at San Onofre and began skiing. The beautiful Sally Ballantyne caught his eye in the Alpine Café (now Whisky Jacques) while both were working for Sun Valley during Christmas break in 1952. Dan married Sally in 1953, in a double wedding with her twin sister, Sue and her husband, John Sommer.
They moved to Europe to teach in the overseas dependent school system in 1954. He and Sally taught in the French towns of Orleans and in Paris, then moved to Germany, to teach in Munich, and finally in Bad Toelz. They remained in Europe for 32 years until their return to Ketchum in 1986. In this time, Dan and his friends enjoyed being some of the first backcountry powder skiers, by hiking from ski areas and pioneering long descents into Alpine valleys. Kitzbuehel was a favorite.
His other passion was tennis, which he taught and played competitively. Upon their return, both worked for the Sun Valley Ski School. Dan taught skiing right through the 2010 season. He had a wonderful gift to engage all in conversations. He touched many lives, from his students in Europe, to the children and adults he taught in the ski school. He had a talent for helping ski students feel comfortable and confident. Along with the skiing and tennis, Dan was passionate about cycling and was an avid reader. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Sally, two sons, Joel and Dominic, as well as three grandchildren, Ansel, Nico and Sophie. The memorial service will take place on June 19 at 3 p.m. at Dollar Lodge.
