Daniel J. Durrenberger

DURRENBERGER, Daniel J. Arizona lost a major television innovator and consummate communicator when Daniel J. Durrenberger passed away on March 26, 2009, after a long battle with liver disease caused by a genetic blood disorder. Dan was born in Los Angeles , CA on February 26, 1952 . He graduated from Chaminade High School in l970 and then went on to be a graduate of ASU with a bachelor's degree in marketing and an MBA in management. Dan worked for KAET TV Channel 8 for nearly 20 years, moving up in responsibility from producer to station manager. Dan was the founder of Channel 8's popular live public affairs program, "Horizon." He was also responsible for several Arizona and national broadcasting "firsts' at Channel 8 during his tenure: 170 hours of the nation's first live gubernatorial impeachment trial in the impeachment of Arizona Governor Evan Mecham; the first national broadcast of the surgical replacements of a human hip and a human knee; the first broadcast of oral arguments before a state supreme court; the first live broadcast of Halley's Comet, which was part of a 70-part astronomy series from the Kitt Peak National Observatory; the live broadcast of open heart surgery conducted by renowned heart surgeon Ted Dietrich; and the first televised symposium on AIDS-related issues. Many leaders in the television and film industry today got their starts at Channel 8 under Dan's tutelage. A Tempe resident, Dan also spent much of his life in community service to his state and his city. Dan contributed extensive service to the Tempe Board of Adjustment, Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Judicial Performance Review, Tempe Neighborhoods Tomorrow Task Force, Maricopa Association of Governments Blue Ribbon Committee on Urban Growth and its 2025 Visioning Committee and Tempe's Industrial Development Authority. He chaired more than 400 public hearings on zoning-related issues in Tempe . For many years Dan was a prolific columnist for The Arizona Republic and he was the author of two books: Tempe's Neighborhood Association Handbook: Organizing for Success and Tempe's Board and Commission Members Handbook. He also contributed to Tempe's Neighborhood Nuisance and Enhancement Ordinance and the city's Rental Housing Code. In 1995, Dan joined Flatt & Associates, Ltd, Public Relations and Public Affairs, as vice-president of client services, where he served until the end of his life. Dan was recognized with many awards during his career, including recognition from the American and Maricopa County Bar Associations, the National Commendation Award from the American Women in Radio and Television, recognition from the International Film and Television Festival of New York, Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards, a Freedom of Information Award from the British Medical Association and multiple awards from the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Dan is survived by his parents, Robert and Bernadine Durrenberger of Sun City, Arizona ; sister Mary Ann Marasco and husband Michael; nieces Amy Armstrong and husband Patrick; and Kristen Daukulis . He will be greatly missed by his family and all those whose lives he touched. Dan was laid to rest at a private memorial ceremony that was conducted by Messinger Mortuaries and lovingly overseen by Paul Messinger, Dan's dearest and most treasured client. For those who loved or would like to remember Dan, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street , Phoenix , AZ 85014 http:www.hov.orgdonate.aspx or Friends of Channel 8, ASU, Tempe , AZ 85287 http:www.azpbs.orgsupportindex.html. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.