Dan Albert Keleher

Dan Albert Keleher died peacefully at a care facility in Auburn CA on September 17th, 2023, at the age of 72, due to health complications from advanced dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Dan was born in Auburn CA on November 17th, 1950, to Pearl and George Keleher. He graduated from Placer High School in 1968 and earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Berkeley in 1972.

Following graduation, Dan moved to North Lake Tahoe, where he worked for a time on the county road crews. He spent a year living in Telluride CO, returning in 1976 to Kings Beach CA where he built houses, did home remodels, and was known as a beautiful, graceful skier. An excellent watercolor artist and cartoonist, Dan created posters and fliers for local nonprofits like the We-the-People Natural Foods Co-op, where he was a longtime member. His many friends remember him as the person you counted on to bring his guitar to a party and get everyone singing along.

In 1986, Dan moved to Meadow Vista CA, where he built his own home and started a construction business, in the process becoming certified as a Green Professional by the National Association of Home Builders.

In 1989, Dan reunited with his partner Mary Shore, whom he had met at the We-the-People Co-op. Their blended family included Mary’s young daughter Jessica and a child of their own, Kelly. Dan and Mary split up in 1999 but remained the best of friends until the end. He is survived by Mary, Kelly Keleher, and Jessica Welna, who will always remember him for his kind nature, calm demeanor, great sense of humor, and of course those remarkable abilities as a skier, artist, and musician. Dan loved hiking and fishing, played a mean game of tennis, and never turned down a craft beer or two at the end of the day. He made everyone around him feel like a great friend.

A memorial celebration will kick off at 4pm on his birthday, November 17th, 2023, at The Ridge in Auburn CA. Attendees are encouraged to bring a guitar if possible, and in any case be ready and willing to sing along to some of Dan’s favorite songs.