Danny Jay Rich

Lifelong Alaskan Danny Rich passed away at his home in Wasilla on March 24, 2026, due to complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Danny was born in Anchorage on July 15, 1953. He was the son of Alva and Mary Lorraine (Rainey) Rich.  He was the 3rd born of 6 children.

Danny spent the first 3 years of his life living in a cabin built by his father on Park St. in Mt. View Alaska. In 1956 he and 3 other siblings along with his parents moved to a new home on Peck Avenue in the Muldoon area. The Peck Avenue property was always home for many years whether living or visiting until 2021.

He attended Creekside Park Elementary School, Clark Jr. High School and East Anchorage High School.  He also later attended an Electronic Tech School.

Danny loved the outdoors and in his early years you'd find him at the rope swing or just romping around in the Muldoon area with friends. He loved skiing, biking, motorcycling, 4wheeling and snowmachining and flying his airplane.

He also had a love of photography, took up Tae Kwon Do for a few years and learned how to play the bag pipes, his special endeavors he loved very much.

In 1977, Danny and his child-hood sweetheart Carla Stahl had a son Shawn who was the light of Danny's life. Shawn and Danny had many adventures over the years, camping, snowmachining especially, ATVs, and motor bikes. If there was fun to be had they found it together.

Danny traveled the Alcan at least twice and enjoyed his travels to Hawaii, Nevada and Canada with his wife Shirley; Mexico, Washington, Arkansas and other places with friend Michael Green, Washington State to visit his sister Cheryl and Mike Dyer and family as well as Hawaii with son Shawn and later with his Mom and sister Leonna.

Danny worked various jobs over the years; however, his most favorites were his helping with the clean up on the Valdez oil spill and his most recent job where he worked at the YMCA from 1996 to 2019 retiring as Facilities Director. Danny always had fond memories of the YMCA and loved the friendships he established there. The people were special to him, and he was proud to call them his friends and to say he loved them.

Danny moved to the Wasilla Senior Center in 2021 where he was living when the Angels called him home.

Danny is survived by his loving son; Shawn Rich and wife Lynsey, his wife; Shirley Rich, stepson Nick MacArthur and stepdaughter; Kimberly MacArthur (Doug) Carla Stahl,
sisters and brothers-in-laws; Cheryl and Mike Dyer, Rebecca Larson, and Leonna and Dan Kuntze, grandsons; Ian Rich, Damian Starrett (step), granddaughters; Angel Archuleta, Mickela Maxwell, Mickenzie Erickson (Jimmy), and Dahlia Starrett (step), nephews; Troy and Katie Dyer, Scott Larson and Shane Larson, nieces; Jamie Rich and Mandy Larson, great nieces; Josslyn and Addelyn Dyer, and Rose Larson, great nephew; Piercyn Dyer and lifelong friend, Michael Green and other extended family members and loving friends.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents; Alva and Mary Lorraine (Rainey) Rich, his brother; Jesse A. Rich, sister; Robin K. Rich and brother-in-law; Einar A. Larson, Jr.

Memorial donations may be made to the YMCA 5353 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99507 or through their website at ymcaalaska.org in memory of Danny Rich.