Daniel Francis Cronen

Born to Daniel Earl and Dagmar Niemi Cronen of Astoria, Ore., on October 26, 1944, Dan graduated from Star of the Sea High School in Astoria and lived the rest of his life in the Portland area. He built a teaching career that lasted more than 40 years and raised a family that continues to thrive.

Dan earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics at the University of Portland in 1966 and then became a math teacher at Fowler Junior High School in Tigard, Ore., a post he held until 1992.

Dan took leave from the classroom to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard between 1969 and 1973, amid the Vietnam War era. He was posted to a base in Cape May, NJ, where he led training for recruits and met his future wife, Cathy O'Connor, at a beach party. Married in 1972, Dan and Cathy returned to Oregon and established a loving home in Beaverton.

Dan earned a master's degree in math education at the University of Oregon in 1975 and was named 1989 Tigard Teacher of the Year. Beginning in 1992, he taught high school math, first at Tigard High and then at Central Catholic in Portland.

Upon retirement in 2011, Dan spent time with his four grandchildren, tutored students in math, loved visiting the coast, and was a loyal University of Portland Pilots basketball fan.

Dan was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Marie Cronen Krager. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cathy; son, Dan (Kim) Cronen; daughters, Elizabeth Cronen and Kate (Ben) Rollins; grandchildren, Maeve, Morgan, Connor, and Colin; and cats, Shamrock and Sisu.

A service to give thanks for Dan's life will be Saturday, February 1, at 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverton.

In place of flowers for the Cronen family, consider honoring Dan's kindness and generosity with an unexpected bouquet given to anyone you love, or make a donation to Central Catholic High School (https://www.centralcatholichigh.org/support-cchs/make-a-gift).