DANIEL MAAS Obituary
DANIEL R. MAAS He was known to his friends and family as the "Hawk," and was set to fly free on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 in Thornton, Colo. He always believed that "Courage is merely to do the best that you can, Will is to do what must be done, even when that means doing the impossible." He believed that his Will could win under any condition, and he spent his life proving it. He grew up in Santa Fe, N.M. and attended the Santa Fe Prep School where his father was a teacher. At the age of 15 he broke his leg and was told he would never walk without a limp, he said he would someday run in a USA uniform. He graduated from Santa Fe Prep in 1987 and that summer ran a 4:08 mile, the third fastest high school mile in the country that year. He received a Bachelor's of Science Degree from Adams State College and won seven National titles. He continued his education with a Master's Degree from Nova Southeastern in Technology in Education and then a Doctorate of Education (Ed. D) from the University of Northern Colorado. After college he ran professionally for Reebok and then Adidas. He competed on seven international teams representing the USA and in two Olympic trials. He ran sub-4 in the mile 16 times. Dan started his career in education as a Math and Science teacher at Agiular High School until he was offered the opportunity as Director of Technology for South Central BOCES. He was then promoted to Director of Technology at Centennial BOCES, after which he took over the role of Chief Information Officer at Littleton Public Schools. He obtained his Superintendent's License and joined the Thompson district in 2014 as COO where he supervised numerous departments and projects including the construction of the High Plains School and the master plan effort for Thompson Reinvented. In March of 1992, Dan was united in marriage to Loan Kieu (Anderson) Maas. Dan could not enjoy life unless it was with Loan and they made it their mission to enjoy it together. They enjoyed travel, cooking and fine foods while placing an unmatched devotion to their son Calvin. He gave of himself to anyone lucky enough to have known him, and believed there was no greater honor than what you could do for someone else. Preceding him in death are his maternal grandparents Robert and Dorothy Friedlander, his paternal grandparents Walter and Elsie Maas and was joined three days later by his wife Loan (Anderson) Maas. Left to cherish his memory is his amazing son Calvin Maas of Ft. Collins, Colo. Parents Fred and Debby Maas, Santa Fe, N.M. Siblings Brendan (Nina) Maas of Irvine, Calif. and Lynn (Russell) Worley of Thornton, Colo. Nieces and Nephews Aleksander and Elizabeth Maas of Irvine, Calif, Timothy and Nathan Worley of Thornton. Aunts and Uncles Amy (Mitch) Friedlander of Washington, DC, Steve (Jacky) Maas of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Peter (Susan) Maas of Las Cruces, N.M. Cousins Dustin, Travis and Kevin Maas, Ky. and Chris Bernier. Numerous special friends, colleagues, teammates and competitors. Active pallbearers are Buddy Gomez, Dominic Gachupin, Martin Johns, Terry Davis, Russell Worley, and Dustin Maas Visitation will be Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the Mullare Murphy Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 1PM at San Isidro Church in Weston, olo., approximately 27.9 miles from the Welcome Center. Interment of Rite of Committal will follow at the Stonewall Cemetery. Reception to follow at Primero Jr/Sr High School. The Denver Public School District, along with Thompson School District are working on setting up a Scholarship Fund in honor of the Maas family which are currently pending at this time. The family has entrusted the Mullare-Murphy Funeral Home with the arrangements.
Published by Santa Fe New Mexican from Sep. 7 to Sep. 8, 2016.