Daniel Allen Neuss passed away at home in Los Gatos, Calif. on March 23, 2009.
Dan was born in Newark, N.J. on Dec. 7, 1951 to Ann and Sidney Neuss. After 12 years in his family's business, M. Neuss and Sons, he attended State University of New York, Utica, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in engineering, graduating valedictorian in 1985.
He married Dianne Peterson in June of that year and the couple moved to Park City, Utah where Dan was employed with Unisys Corp in Salt Lake City for 12 years. In subsequent years, Dan was employed in the high-tech computer industry in Texas, Alabama and California.
He and Dianne returned to Utah in 2003, settling in his long-time favorite town of Moab, where Dan began his third career as a realtor with Anasazi Realty and later with Remax Canyonlands Realty. Additionally, he opened his own computer consulting company, Arches Technology.
Dan was an avid jeeper and first came to Moab as a young man for its jeeping opportunities as well as for its unsurpassed beauty. He made many friends on his visits throughout the years. He and Dianne, with the help of devoted friends and family, especially Doug Lawley, built a log home in Old La Sal, where he and Dianne resided for two years and had planned to retire.
He was a member of Grand County Search and Rescue, was a stained glass artist and loved to camp out in the desert.
Dan was enticed back into the computer world when he was offered a position with Apple Computer Corp. in Cupertino, Calif. Sadly, after six months working at "the best job I ever had," he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In spite of a valiant year-long fight for life, he passed away reluctantly but peacefully.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Dianne, his mother, Ann, his sister, Sharon, his beloved stepsons, Christopher Sexton and David (Traci) Sexton, and stepdaughter-in-law, Diane Sexton. He is also survived by his dear sisters-in-law, Kathleen Peterson and Sheila Taraska, Irene (Daniel) Moscaritolo, Beverly (Loren) Hatle and two brothers-in-law, Daniel (Georgia) Peterson and Robert (Maria) Peterson; grandchildren, Josh, Crystal, Steven, Hunter, Bailee, Rylee and Dylan; great-grandsons Destin and Dominick; many nieces and nephews, and longtime adopted family members Robin and Jolly Groff, Bill and Vona Groff, Barbie Groff Lawley, and their extended families.
He was preceded in death by his father, Sidney, stepson, Lewis Sexton, and his longtime adopted family, John and Nancy Groff.
A memorial celebration in honor of Dan is planned to take place in the spring, (the date is yet undetermined) when all of Dan's friends and family will be welcomed.