Dan Der Torosian went by many names... Danny, Torosian, Torosian Explosion (take your minds out of the gutter), Pizan, Pimpin’ D, Dan Dan the Produce Man, Schmoopy, Dad, and many more. Dan was born in Bakersfield and raised in Madera where he found his first love, farming. Those closest to him may have witnessed Dan cursing at his tractors a handful of times, but more often they witnessed the meticulous and careful hand he used to prune the vines he’d grown up with. In high school, Dan met his second love, wrestling (or as Maderans call it, “wrastlin”). It was through this sport that Dan met so many friends that he kept in touch with through life. In college, Dan studied Ag Business and after college he met his third love, Ivonne. Though Ivonne was not the woman Dan had initially eyed at the Denim and Diamonds bar in Southern California, the Keeper of the Stars had a hand in bringing the two together. Unexpectedly, the country boy danced into the city girl’s heart.
Dan was the kind of person that could instantly make friends with strangers. The furrow of his brow told you that he was interested in your story, where you were from, how you were doing, and commonalities. Best of all, he remembered. Today, he has friends at Costco, the gas station, his daughter’s high school, Australia, Chile, and Puerto Rico, Mexico and across the United States. People knew him as kind. A homeless man outside of McDonald’s would receive a meal, a mother stranded on the side of the road would have his company and a few good stories. When a dear friend’s grape vines needed pruning, he pruned. When his daughter's band equipment needed moving, he moved. Dan felt God in the outdoors. He hunted, fished, hiked, and biked (though he often fell off). He walked on trail and treadmill and vineyard row. Fitbit challenges fed his competitive spirit. Dan skied slopes gracefully, one time skiing off Face accidentally. For some this would be scary, but Dan just kept going. Even years after he never lost his flow. Dan was an excellent teacher who enjoyed sharing his beloved hobbies with those around him. He shared all he knew about wrestling with his students. He shared his farming and hunting knowledge with his daughter. He shared his dance and ski skills with his wife.
Everyone who knew Dan, knew that he was a family man. He cherished camping trips with his uncles and cousins and made sure to share those moments with his friends. His daughters knew him as their biggest cheerleader and any opportunity he had to brag about them, he did. His nieces and nephew knew they could count on him to be at every baseball game, softball game, and big life event. He was a protective brother, had an ear when you needed to vent, and a shoulder when you needed to cry. To his parents, Dan was the best son. Even after long days working on the ranch, he took the time to visit with his mom and dad. Their visits always ended with a kiss on his mom’s forehead. He was his dad’s best friend. They made time for fishing and hunting trips together.
Whether you called him Dan, Danny, Dad, or any other name, his honest and loving nature always remained true. Dan Der Torosian is dearly loved and will be incredibly missed.
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