Daniel Robert Swanger, 57, of Hailey, Idaho, died Aug. 20 from health complications.
He was born Dec. 13, 1955, to Daniel and Margaret (Watts) in Durham, North Carolina. In the third grade, Dan and his family moved to Ohio where he spent the rest of his youth.
While attending Kent State University, Dan learned of an opportunity to work in Yellowstone National Park. While working as a bellman at the Old Faithful Inn, Dan met Jill Belling, who worked at the front desk. Dan and Jill were married in 1981 and in the fall of 1982 they visited the Wood River Valley, fell in love with the area and decided to stay. They lived in Hailey with their two children for 27 years.
Dan worked at the Sun Valley Post Office from 1985 until 2009. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood. Dan loved to sing in the church choir, golf with his friends and was an avid Montana ‘Griz’ fan.
Dan was a caring and generous man. He would give the shirt off of his back to help a stranger and was a true example of kindness to those he encountered. He will be best remembered by his passion for making a difference in the lives of children and teenagers. Dan volunteered at countless Papoose Club pancake breakfasts and plant sales. He was passionate about mission work and helped to raise funds for many trips to Mexico with Wood River Young Life to build houses with Amor Ministries.
He is survived by two children, Erika (Jeremy) Greenberg, and Craig (Noelle) Swanger; two grandsons, Bixby and Huxley; and his sister, Stephanie Black and her family.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Wood River Young Life, P.O. Box 144, Hailey, Idaho, 83333. Please join us for a celebration of Dan’s life at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 4 p.m.
