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 WA. In 1978 they found their way to Priest River, ID 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 14

th 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 well-lived and a man whose kindness and
creativity will never be forgotten.