Daniel “Pip” Dean Pipkins

Daniel Dean "Pip" Pipkins, age 54, of Santa Rosa, California died on November 29, 2024, just four short months after a cancer diagnosis. As his body weakened, his spirit only grew stronger as he courageously faced his last days until his soul took flight to new adventures.

He was born in Napa, California on August 4, 1970 to Billy and Janette (Ferguson) Pipkins. Weighing 13 pounds, he had the distinction of being the biggest baby born at the hospital. He grew up in Napa as a bright, beautiful boy with a close group of friends who all recall countless happy memories. He is fondly remembered as accidentally destroying almost everything he owned and sometimes things others owned, earning him the affectionate nickname of "Danmage." He drove a pickup truck throughout high school, proudly displaying a "DANMAGE" license plate. He grew to a towering 6'4", yet was universally considered as a gentle giant with a kind, generous heart. He would drop anything to help someone.

In the early 1990s, he started working as a counselor at Bearskin Meadow Camp, a place for children and families living with diabetes. Because there were many other Dans that first summer, he chose to go by "Pip" to distinguish himself. The mononym stuck for the rest of his life. He is known for his preternatural renditions of "Little Red Wagon," "Desperado," and "The Rooster Song." Pip had a remarkable ability to be the loudest person in the room or while singing around the campfire, yet also the quietest while listening to a friend and helping them solve a problem, or comforting a child. He referred to Bearskin as a magical place where his highest self existed. Because Bearskin is located in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, Pip spent many summers exploring the wilderness there and regarded them as the most beautiful places in the world.

Over the next three decades, he dedicated his life to working with children, continuing in various roles at Bearskin Meadow Camp, outdoor education at Walker Creek Ranch, and after-school programs and camps. He made numerous close friends, living with some at the "Bodega House" in Petaluma, California, where they had communal dinners together, hosted epic celebrations, and hosted "Survivor" watch parties.

He was a passionate fan of his beloved San Francisco Giants. He attended nearly every opening day and referred to it as his religious holiday. Although he liked nearly everyone he met, he questioned the character of Dodger fans. He would like to be remembered as someone who would rather drink water from his own sweaty shoe than eat a Dodger Dog.

Pip loved art, comedy, and music. He's remembered for blasting Van Halen's "Summer Nights" while driving around with friends, with all the windows down during high school days. He had a collection of guitars and spent hours researching them for himself and others. He was happiest around a campfire with a group of friends, strumming a guitar and smoking his pipe. He connected with the poignant lyrics and singular talent of John Prine. He saw many live music shows with friends, including a few memorable years attending the Strawberry Music Festival as part of the Camp Swizzle Sticks crew.

He loved "Goldar" (he named all his cars and bikes), a truck with a mattress in its covered bed. He sought out adventures and loved road trips, referring to Goldar as a "rolling hotel room." He was always prepared for fun times - keeping bubbles and eye patches in his truck just in case they were needed.

Endowed with an impeccable memory and sense of humor, Pip was a masterful storyteller. He had an uncanny ability to recite funny movie quotes at exactly the right moment. He had some sort of inside joke with every friend, which usually parlayed into their Pip-bestowed sobriquet. Friends will remember his hilarious double entendres and the classic phrases he often said, including "it's on like Donkey Kong," "strong like bull," "laytron," "ginormous," "AHHHHHHH_MAZING!" "puppy dogs and rainbows," and "sad clown."

Pip loved exploring the outdoors. He paddled kayaks and canoes, hiked nature trails and backpacked mountain ranges. Two of his most memorable adventures took place in New York state, and southern California. Pip worked for one summer at a camp just north of Westchester County where he fell deeply in love with the Croton River, a meandering stream of water that provided Pip and friends with several very meditative canoe outings. He was also one of the lucky few to witness the flight of California Condors on the west coast; his trip into the Los Padres wilderness area (where the birds flew right overhead) will always be remembered by his friends Rich and Jeff.

Some of his favorite things are perfect manhattans, Blenheim's ginger ale (old #3 hot - red cap), Maker's Mark whiskey, bear claws from Butter Cream bakery, and Whiskey Woods aftershave (his signature scent which combined the aromas of pipe tobacco, whiskey, and the forest).

His life was marked by his ability to connect with kids. He treated them as people and made them feel seen and safe. Many will say that he is their childhood hero. His life is also distinguished by his friendships. He believed that "we are the sum total of our friendships" and based on the aggregate of love he gave the world, his total was an inordinate amount. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Pip was preceded in death by his father and his sister Janelle Pipkins, and is survived by his mother, his niece Alyssa Wolf (Uriah) of Seattle, Washington, nephew Drew Mitchell of Port Orchard, Washington, lifelong friends Jason Fuller, Kurt and Amy Gonsalves, Rick and Erin Lund, aunts, uncles, cousins, and an astounding number of friends.

For those who wish to donate in Pip's honor, we suggest the DYF, which operates Bearskin Meadow Camp.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/diabetes-youth-families/support-dyf-this-diabetes-awareness-month