Daniel Decious

Never forgotten You left such an impact in all life´s around you. You left us all a beautiful gift.

He made Chemistry interesting. He came to watch my band play at some cheesy bar and cheered after every song. I couldn't stop smiling. When I returned to study for a Masters degree he told me "you were never really any good at Chemistry, Let's see what else we can find for you". I will always cherish those words.

I was shocked and deeply saddened to recently learn of Dan’s passing.
My deepest condolences to Mary and Dan’s family.
I’d known Dan for more than 50 years.
Dan became my undergraduate advisor in Chemistry when I transferred to Sac State from American River Junior College in the fall of 1968.
My early academic career was less than stellar, and I foundered on the rocks of second semester P-Chem, a class that Dan taught in the Spring of 1970 (‘interesting times’ as the...

Dr. Decious left an indelible mark in many of us who had him as a teacher. He was funny, helpful, sarcastic and a very tough professor. He was ahead of the curve in helping many of us who were first generation college students, which came from varied ethnic backgrounds. He will live on through the many lives he touched. Even after many years after graduating, I often thought about him and how he impacted my life. I am so glad I personally thanked him for all his contributions at a SEE event....

I was the "girlfriend" of a chem student mentored by Dan, and thus was blessed by his friendship and merry times. I became a teacher and recognize one of the Greats in Dr. Dan.

Professor Dan Decious impacted so many lives. I witnessed his passion helping so many students. Professor Decious left no stone unturned in breaking down barriers that would prevent students from being successful. It is through his efforts that so many students achieved success. It was my pleasure to have known and worked with such a special professional champion for students. My condolence to his family.
Rosita Takach
California State University, Sacramento
Financial Aid Office

I was a Chemistry student at Sac State from 1966-1968 with a wife and newborn daughter. I had two part-time jobs (one in the Chemistry stockroom through the work-study program) and was a mostly full-time student desperate to graduate ASAP. Dan Decious was so supportive and encouraged me to join on the department softball team which was a highlight of that time of my life. My father had passed away in 1966 and Dr. Fish was like a helpful surrogate father while Dan Decious was like an...

I am so sorry our world has lost this amazingly fine man. It’s been many years since we saw him at the Modoc Picnic in Sacramento and enjoyed his humor. RIP Danny!

Well, I did not wake up expecting to have a few tears flow, but then again, we have little control in how life plays out. Dan Decious was my Chem 1A teacher at Sac State, 1981. You too may have had him and if you did, you were treated to an extraordinary human with a desire to teach a topic that few understood and dare I say, even fewer wanted to understand. He was from Modoc County. He loved Modoc County. I am not sure why I recall this, but I do. He was a Cal Bears fan and a huge...