Daniel Robert Rix, Tahoe Douglas Rotarian

Dan Rix, affectionately known as “Papa Dan” to his family, passed away peacefully at his home in South Lake Tahoe on February 11, 2015 at the age of 73 after a brave and courageous battle with a long illness. Dan was born December 30, 1941 in Pueblo, CO to Dorothy Mae and George Robert Rix and spent his childhood growing up in Daly City (CA). He eventually moved to Tulare (CA) with his family where he graduated from Tulare Union HS in 1959. He went on to graduate with honors from San Jose State University in 1964 with a degree in physical education and shortly thereafter, became a teacher and wrestling coach at Livermore Union HS (CA). By the 1970’s, Dan had transitioned out of education, started a family and had gone into business for himself. First owning a service station followed by a financial planning business, he eventually teamed with his brother Jim in 1991 to form SoftRix, a software firm specializing in electronic claims processing where he spent the balance of his business career managing their company before retiring in 2013 due to his illness. Outside of his working life, Dan had a true passion for the outdoors and was always up for the next adventure or challenge. He was an avid aviation enthusiast who, in addition to enjoying air races, was also a licensed pilot and flight instructor. He sailed catamarans competitively and for pleasure and almost never turned down an opportunity to go on a hike or a bike ride. Long walks, camping and golf were also among his most favorite things to do, especially with his family and friends. Traveling was another source of enjoyment for Dan. He loved road trips and was famous for taking “long-cuts” purely out of curiosity.

Papa Dan was a man of many talents and skills and was always regarded as a problem solver, a master of finding solutions. He got a unique pleasure out of obscure trivia facts and had strong opinions on many subjects which he regularly shared, sometimes even if you didn’t want to hear them. His advice was plentiful, concise and indiscriminate and he never passed up an opportunity to administer a teaching moment. He frequently spoke from experience and, like most of us, learned from his own mistakes. His perspectives on life and business were unwavering and he possessed an untiring ability to persevere when life presented its next challenge. Yet, beneath this unyielding and confident demeanor was a gentle and loving man. You knew that if he was sharing his opinion with you or giving you a piece of his advice it was because he cared and wanted to guide you in the right direction, whatever direction that may have been. He was very outgoing when it came to these things but when it came to his own personal affairs he was always a very private man who never wanted to burden others with his troubles. He was an immensely proud individual who never wanted to display his weaknesses, even when he was confronted with his terrible illness. And even after learning of how serious his illness really was, he somehow found a way to seek out the positive side of things which was a characteristic that had been reflected, time and again, in how he lived his life. Papa Dan had a genuine and unconditional love for all of his family with a particularly special place in his heart for all of his grandchildren. He loved them dearly, as they did him. Papa Dan will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all those fortunate enough to have loved him and known him. Beautiful memories Papa Dan, beautiful memories…

Papa Dan was preceded in death by his parents George and Dorothy Rix. He is survived by his brothers James Rix and Kenneth (Donna) Rix; his life partner and soul mate of 31 years, Frances Nakamura, her children and their families: Kyle (Rona) Nakamura; Kelley (Tony) Song and their daughter Kirsten and son Ethan; Kimberlee (Paul) Homer and their son Ian; his son Zachary (Claudine) Rix and their daughters C’anna, Kinlee and Maesyn and son Zane; his son Christian (Nikki) Rix and their daughter Kinzie; and his daughter Chelsea (Glenn) Williams and their daughter Annaka and son Dean as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A private “Celebration of Papa Dan’s Life” will be held on March 7, 2015 at 12:00 pm at the Chart House in Stateline, NV with a luncheon to follow. The family also wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff at Barton Hospice for their professional and caring services in our time of need and to all of Dan’s fellow Rotarians for their friendships and for the enjoyment Dan found in being a part of your group.