header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memory

Dan Burkhart

Dan Burkhart

Daniel BurkhartDaniel Lance Burkhart, 74, of Fishtail, Montana, passed away peacefully at his home December 28, 2021 with his loving wife Theresa by his side.

Born December 6,1947 in Painesville, OH to Lou and MaryLou (Logan) Burkhart, the 4th of 7 children, Dan spent his childhood in OH, mostly in Kent and the suburbs of Cleveland. After graduating from Rocky River High School, where he starred on the football, basketball and baseball teams, Dan attended Bethany College in West Virginia, working on ore freighters in the summers while studying towards degrees in journalism and theology.

After college, Dan worked for the Indiana Center on Law and Poverty where he published the organization’s newsletter and developed press policies. He moved to Montana in 1976, fulfilling his dreams of living in Montana and running his own newspaper, when he bought the Absarokee newspaper. He eventually acquired the papers in Bridger, Columbus and Red Lodge as well, beginning his 30+ years in the newspaper business. Dan married Theresa Vandersnick on May 24, 1986 and became stepfather to her children Kevin and Davey Oltrogge. In 1990, Dan sold what had become the Carbon County News and Stillwater County News and took a position as Assistant Editor of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. In 1996 Dan and Theresa moved to Nebraska where he was hired as Managing Editor of the North Platte Telegraph. Due to a family tragedy and a longing for Montana, they moved back to Absarokee in 1997 where they bought the Stillwater Lodge, operating the motel until 2021. Upon their return to Montana, Dan worked as a traveling reporter and columnist for the Billings Gazette until 2001 when he took over as Director of Publications for Rocky Mountain College. After 12 years at RMC, he went to work for Volunteers of America in 2013 until retiring in 2015. Throughout his career, he contributed to several national publications such as People and Entertainment Weekly. Dan stayed active after retirement, serving on the board of directors for the Yellowstone Art Museum as well as substitute teaching in Absarokee.

Dan approached all things with enthusiasm, from seeking out stories for his columns, fundraising for RMC and VoA, and especially entertaining friends and family. Dan was also intent on bringing simple joys to those around him, often with a “Dan’s box” from Brockels Chocolates. In addition to being a very gifted writer, he was an avid reader, finishing 2-3 books per week. In fact, an addition was built onto his home to accommodate his extensive book collection. After spending a majority of his life on the road traveling for stories and long commutes to work, Dan spent his later years relaxing at his home on Fiddler Creek, enjoying the peacefulness and long adventures with Theresa and their dogs.

Dan will be fondly remembered by those that worked for him as a great mentor; a role in which he immersed himself and took much pride, sharing both his knowledge of the business and appreciation of the arts. He cherished these relationships, as many of these mentees became life-long friends and colleagues.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents Lou and MaryLou, older brother Dave and stepson Davey. He will be greatly missed by his survivors: wife Theresa of Fishtail, MT; stepson Kevin (Shannon) Oltrogge of Billings, MT; grandson Connor (Micheal) Oltrogge of Bellevue, WA; granddaughter Abigail Oltrogge of Bozeman, MT; brother Tim (Paula) Burkhart of Samoa, CA; brother Paul (Leslie) Burkhart of Gabriola Island, BC; brother Mark (Lynn) Burkhart of Florissant, MO; sister Melissa (Dave) Mickley of Lexington, OH; brother Jon (Leila) Burkhart of Evanston, IL along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Always one to deflect fanfare, Dan did not want a formal service, but a memorial will most likely take place later this year when family and friends can safely gather to celebrate his life.

Dan had also requested that in lieu of any memorials or flowers, a donation be made to Horses Spirits Healing at www.horsesspiritshealing.org.

Dan, Theresa and the family would like to send a special thanks to the staff at Riverstone Hospice for their heartfelt care and assistance along with all the nurses and doctors that treated him over the years.

https://smithfuneralchapels.com/book-of-memories/4816273/Burkhart-Daniel/index.php