Daniel Robert Kuhn 1955 - 2003 Daniel Robert Kuhn completed his journey on this earth on Wednesday after a short illness. Dan was born on October 12, 1955 in Syracuse, New York and while his family moved frequently, he spent many of his early years in Concord, Massachusetts as a precocious child with an independent streak that manifested itself early. By his own admission he was not an easy child to raise and caused no end of troubles in his youth. His parents never gave up on him and patiently encouraged him and read to him constantly. An adventurer at heart, Dan was adept at hitchhiking and explored much of the eastern United States by exploiting this talent. As he matured, he was more interested in things outside of school but he graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Chemistry. Beginning to show his true potential, he followed that with a Masters degree in Chemistry from the same University. His academic career took off when he caught the eye of the great University of Texas Professor and world-renowned chemist, Michael J. S. Dewar and was accepted into Prof. Dewars research group. Dan blossomed and impressed everyone with his knowledge, erudition and original research. Dan found in Austin a place perfectly suited to him that he could finally call home. Upon obtaining his doctorate in 1986, he took the unconventional route of starting his own business. Dan realized the potential of personal computers and developed a very early expertise in programming. This business and two that followed, while based more on technical than business prowess, demonstrated Dan was developing a keen talent as a software engineer. His love of the outdoors led Dan to the Austin Rowing Club and to a career as a competitive rower. The rowing club led him to the lovely Tracy Cortese, who after a whirlwind romance consented to be his wife. They were married on November 10, 1990. It was apparent to everyone that they were unusually well matched. Their innumerable friends came to anticipate, with pleasure, the social gatherings for which Dan and Tracy soon became famous. The tubing trips they organized down the rivers of central Texas were legendary. Their lives and the lives of everyone around them soon became enriched with the addition of their sweet daughter, Zoe Claire Xiaoshi Kuhn. Dan loved his daughter dearly and he threw himself into his role as Zoes father, playing games and being endlessly entertained by her. In 1996 Dan was recruited to join a team forming to build a satellite constellation in Phoenix, Arizona. Dan and the family moved there to participate in that effort. Dan was a critical engineer in the development of the Mission Planning System for the satellites and he worked on the project through its deployment. While in Arizona the Kuhns lived in the shadow of Camelback Mountain and Dan climbed it regularly. Dan loved the outdoors and adventures, and the family explored much of the Sonoran desert; hiking the Grand Canyon, the Mogollon Rim, Sedona, and the Painted Desert. Dan loved the desert and he loved the many friends he made during their stay in Arizona. In 2002, Dan was again recruited to work on a major project, this time for Multimedia Games in Austin. The family moved back to Austin that year, reuniting them with their many friends in the area. Dans true character was evident in how he dealt with friends, family, and colleagues. The fact that all who came into contact with Dan enjoyed and benefited from his companionship allows it to be said of Dan, as it can be said of few others, that he had none but friends. His wit, vivacity and joie de vivre defined him as a truly unique and unforgettable man. His grievous loss is felt most keenly by us all. An honest man now lies at rest, As ere God with his image blest; The friend of man, the friend of truth; The friend of age, and guide of youth: Few hearts like his, with virtue warmd, Few heads with knowledge so informd: If theres another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this. Dan is survived by his loving wife Tracy and his beautiful daughter Zoe, both of Austin, his mother Mary Kuhn of Portland, Oregon and his mother and father-in-law Norma and Angelo Cortese of Port Huron, Michigan. A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. in Austin, 452-8811.
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