Dan MAHER

Daniel Thomas "Dan" Maher, a musician and radio host who delighted audiences around the Northwest for more than four decades, died Monday, May 19, under hospice care in Pullman, less than a month after his 72nd birthday.

He fought bravely against liver cancer that was discovered in January after a heart attack. Until recently, he continued to host an online music program and perform occasionally, including a memorable St. Patrick's Day concert at Bucer's coffeehouse in Moscow.

For 38 years, Maher's weekly radio program "Inland Folk" brought folk music to listeners of Spokane Public Radio and Northwest Public Broadcasting. In April, dozens of musicians from around the Palouse gathered for a concert in Moscow to honor Maher and his musical legacy.

Dan and his twin sister, Danielle, were born April 23, 1953, at Fort Lewis, Wash., to Bill Maher and Joaun Maher-Jack. Dan and his sister became blind soon after their birth. The family later moved to Spokane, where Dan and Danielle graduated from North Central High School in 1971. He attended Washington State University, earning a bachelor's degree in English education in 1978.

Maher became an advisor for the Associated Students of WSU in 1980, where he worked until his retirement in 2019. In that role, he advised students and helped them fundraise and plan events.

His passion was folk music: performing, promoting concerts, and encouraging young musicians. Maher delighted in presenting Irish, Scots, English and American traditional and modern folk music. He excelled in engaging audiences by encouraging and exhorting them to join him in singing old and new choruses.

Maher was a founder of the Palouse Folklore Society of Moscow in the 1980s. He was also a strong supporter of the Three Rivers Folklife Society and its Tumbleweed Music Festival, held each Labor Day weekend since 1997. He was usually the master of ceremonies for the festival's main concert.

A singer, guitarist and songwriter, Maher recorded five albums, four of which are available through BandCamp.com. His Internet radio program, "Dan Maher's Good Road," will continue indefinitely through 72 archived programs at MixCloud.com. The program will continue with his producer, Katrina Knight, carrying on in Dan's spirit.

Dan is survived by his sister, Danielle Maher-Jack of Spokane, and his faithful service dog, K.C., who at Dan's request has joined the family of Gene and Susan Carbaugh of Richland. A brother, Michael, died previously. Among his many friends, Dan leaves behind Eunjeong Hshin of Rome, GA, Katrina Knight of Kennewick, Micki Perry of Kennewick, Heidi Muller of Joseph, OR, and Isaac Wright of Moscow.

Viewing will be Tuesday, June 3, from 12 noon to 6 p.m., at Corbeill Funeral Home, 905 S. Grand Ave, Pullman. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 21, at the Living Faith Fellowship, 1035 S. Grand Ave., Pullman. Dan requested that his ashes be spread at Sacajawea State Park, near the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers.

Memorials are suggested to Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, 1040 Rodeo Dr., Moscow, ID 83843 or to the Tumbleweed Folk Festival, c/o Three Rivers Folklife Society, P.O. Box 1098, Richland, WA 99352. Online condolences may be sent to www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com