Daniel L. Sullivan, DDS

Daniel L. Sullivan, DDS, 83, of Sonoma, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 23, 2012, at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. If he were to have a headstone, it would read “I Feel Fine.”

Dan was born in Norfolk, Va., on Sept. 18, 1929. He graduated from Burlingame (CA) High School in 1948. After attending Leland Stanford, Jr. University, Dan served in the United States Navy, from January 1951 until September 1954.

Dan was married to Beverly Jean Hoiby on June 11, 1954; they were married for 58 wonderful years.

After his honorable discharge, he continued with his education, receiving his degree of doctor of dental surgery in 1959 from University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry.

He moved to Sonoma in 1959, and purchased and took over the dental practice of his father, the late Frank K. Sullivan, DDS. In 1963, he returned to school at the School of Dentistry at University of Washington at Seattle, where he received his degree in orthodontics in 1965. Returning home to Sonoma, he then practiced orthodontics for the next 47 years, many of which were as Sonoma Valley’s only orthodontist. At the time of his retirement in 2012, he was employed with Sonoma County Indian Health Project, in Santa Rosa and Ukiah.

Besides practicing orthodontics, Dan was an orthodontics instructor at University of California, San Francisco. He was active in local youth sports, and coached teams in Pop Warner Football, CYO Basketball and Sonoma Valley Little League for many years. He was active in Kiwanis International for many years, and served as President of the local chapter.

Dan was a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Scholastic Honor Society. He also was a member of Ducks Unlimited, and California Waterfowl Association.

An avid outdoorsman, Dan loved hunting upland game birds and waterfowl, but he especially enjoyed hunting ducks. During duck season, he would spend five days a week at his duck club, Pintail Farms. He also enjoyed fishing, whether lake, stream or ocean, and fished in Canada, Mexico and New Zealand, as well as in the states. He took his family on annual camping trips in the Sierra Nevadas until purchasing a mountain cabin in 1971, after which the cabin was a favorite get away. He spent many hours gardening, watching sports, and working with his hands.

Dan is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Sonoma; his son, Dan, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Cathy of Napa; son, David of Boyes Hot Springs; two granddaughters, Kelli and Meghan; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and of course many, many friends. Those who knew him will miss him. Those who didn’t, missed him.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Mildred Sullivan, his sister Mary Sullivan, and his brother Frank K. Sullivan, Jr.

A party to celebrate his life is planned for Jan. 18, 2014. Contact Dan Jr. via email at napalaw@pacbell.net for information and RSVP before Jan. 11, 2014.