Museum's 'Founding Father' Remembered

Dan Weikel, a founding father of USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, spent a lifetime learning, creating, volunteering and making friends. Muskegon will miss his "can do" spirit.

Daniel Macauley Weikel, age 87, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Spring Lake, Michigan.

As a young man, he sought out and received the finest training and education, first as an Army airborne Special Forces trooper and then as a student at Purdue and Harvard. He held onto the passion of lifelong learning, educating himself on topics as varied as mechanics, wood carving, candy making and bee keeping.

A particular fascination was history, and one of his hallmark achievements was spearheading the creation of USS LST 393 Veterans Museum. He and a small group of colleagues in 2005 began the herculean task of turning a shoreline eyesore back into the historic World War II warship it had once been. Many of the museum artifacts are from his own vast collection of militaria. His work with the LST garnered national awards.

Dan insisted the museum honor veterans. He served on the Muskegon Memorial Day parade committee and American Legion boards. Dan volunteered for many causes, especially ones that benefitted veterans.

Later in life, he earned a master's degree in military history. He lectured frequently on history topics and led travel groups on tours to historical sites like Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg.

He had a distinguished career with GE Aerospace, and was also interested in sport aviation. He was a director of the Muskegon Air Fair had a private pilot's license. He also performed 1,100 parachute jumps, most for sport but many as a member of the 82nd Airborne. It's why he said he had a years-long relationship with podiatrists.

Dan was a great supporter of the arts, enjoying symphony music, theater and the NBC book club. He also got involved in hands-on art like stained glass creations and wood carving. He also spent many hours antiquing, looking for treasures from the past.

Often called a "renaissance man," he learned to be a gourmet chef and made the family kitchen his special place. He also made candy and produced honey from his hives of bees, sharing them as holiday gifts. A lifelong outdoorsman, he was a member of Ducks Unlimited because he believed in preservation of habitat.

But despite his cultivated taste buds, some of his favorite times were with his friends at Mr. Quick's and Russ's for breakfast. Those are among the places Dan's gruff sense of humor and infectious laugh will be missed by his many friends, who viewed him as kind and generous.

He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on June 29, 1937 to Hervey and Isabelle (Harrison) Weikel. He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Harvard University with a business degree, and American Military University with a Master of Military History.

On October 22, 1977, Dan married his beloved, the former Barbara Weston, in Spring Lake, Michigan and she survives him along with his daughters, Melissa (Bryan) Arneson and Danielle (Art) Perry and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

A CELEBRATION OF DAN'S LIFE will be held in the spring and will be announced at a later date. Donations in his memory may be directed to the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum or Muskegon County Department of Veteran Affairs.

Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444