Daniel Robert Kreiss

Daniel Robert Kreiss, age 71, of Alameda, California, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 2, 2022, with his loving wife Linda at his side. He fought valiantly against the small cell lung cancer he was diagnosed with in September of 2020, and he was always very brave through the myriad of treatments during those two years. He was constantly full of hope, and his strength and attitude inspired all who knew him.

Dan was born in San Francisco on October 5, 1950, the third of the eight children of Robert and Dorothy Kreiss. Dan’s two older siblings were David and Doris. The five-member family first lived in San Francisco but soon moved to South San Francisco where Dan attended the Roger Williams Academy, as his parents were strong advocates of Christian education. In 1958 the family home was sold, and the family spent the summer camping in a large trailer at Napa Valley Ranch Club. At the end of that summer the family moved to Alameda where Dan and his siblings were enrolled in Alameda Christian School. The family quickly grew to include four more brothers (Douglas, Donald, Dennis, Dale) and one more sister (Debbie). All attended the Alameda Christian Reformed Church and the Kreiss family filled a whole pew! The family patriarch, Dan’s father, Robert Kreiss, died of a cancerous brain tumor in 1966. Dan graduated from Alameda High School in 1968, married Debbie Jeffers in 1969, and had two sons (Kevin and Paul) in the following two years and a daughter (Elaine) a few years later.

Dan and his family continued to attend the Alameda Christian Reformed Church, where eternally lasting friendships were formed. Dan was a man of great faith and for the rest of his life, he continued to attend the same church; he was extremely active in various leadership roles, choir, small groups, initiating power-point for church services, doing other audio/visual work, plus involvement in maintenance of the church property; he was always eager and willing to help in any capacity for anyone who needed assistance.

Following much encouragement from his good friend Gene to become a firefighter, Dan was hired by the Fremont Fire Department in 1976 and moved up the ranks in the department to become a tillerman and then an engineer, serving the City of Fremont for 29 years; Dan retired from the department in 2005. He truly enjoyed being a firefighter and always called it the best job in the world. The friendships he made in the department continued for years after he retired, with a mutual anticipation for the annual football season and ensuing football pool that became the glue that held those friendships together to the end.

Dan married Linda Tracy in 1987, and she and her young son Cameron joined the family. Dan and Linda and the blended family enjoyed all sorts of outdoor activities, including camping with friends, hiking, trekking through forests, and swimming in lakes, oceans and pools! Dan was also a great handy-man and loved fixing things and doing projects, and he and his friend Gene had so many years together of fishing, camping, and general tomfoolery, fixing vehicles, figuring out “how to do” whatever, plus doing a great kitchen remodel in the Kreiss home. They truly enjoyed each other’s company.

Dan was very active and physically fit and developed a workout plan at the firehouse and which he continued after his retirement, setting up weights, bicycling, and aerobic exercises in the back yard. Dan loved working out with his friends Bill, Tim, and Rick, and throughout his illness he continued to put in the effort to work out three times a week, up until a couple of weeks before he passed. Time after workouts was spent visiting with each other or doing projects. They are devoted and loving friends. Bill especially spent many hours with Dan during his illness, taking him back and forth to medical appointments in Oakland, and more importantly, just spending time with him while Dan was going through all his treatments -- and beyond. Dan often mentioned his deep appreciation for those friendships.

Traveling for Dan and Linda soon became their new love, and in their nearly 35 years of marriage, they were blessed to be able to visit numerous US States and also enjoyed many exotic journeys and cruises to countries all over the world. So many sights and marvelous memories!!

Dan was preceded in death by his father Robert, his mother Dorothy, his son Cameron, his friend Gene, and several aunts and uncles. Dan is survived by his wife Linda, his daughter Elaine Mendenhall (John), and sons Paul Kreiss (Cindy), and Kevin Kreiss, along with 5 grandchildren (James and Ashley Kreiss, Katie, JD, and Reilly Mendenhall), Dan’s brother David (Peggy), his sister Doris Quintard (Bryan), brothers Douglas (Gina), Donald, Dennis (Susan), Dale Robbins (Renee), and his sister Debbie Lemhouse (Brad), brother-in-law Jon Brower and Marilyn, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and a multitude of friends.

Dan always had a great sense of humor, an infectious smile, and a twinkle in his eye. His presence brought happiness to all who had the privilege of knowing him, and he will be deeply missed. We rest in the comfort of eternal life through Jesus Christ and look forward to the heavenly reunion with Dan and the other saints who’ve gone before, all in God’s time.

A memorial service for Daniel will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Alameda Christian Reformed Church, 2914 Encinal Avenue, Alameda, California, 94501.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory may be made to any of the following:

https://worldrenew.net/ https://www.nationalparks.org/ https://www.alivingtribute.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sanleandro-fh.com for the KREISS family.