Dan Park Dougherty’s remarkable century of life left an indelible mark on countless individuals, characterized by a tapestry of significant achievements, direct involvement in pivotal historical events, personal resilience through tragedy, and enduring contributions to civic discourse in his various communities and beyond.
Born in Hutchinson, MN, in 1925, Dan grew up in Austin before enlisting in the Army at 17 in 1943. He entered the war in Normandy just three months after D-Day, serving with distinction as a BAR gunner in the 44th and 45th divisions, fighting in major campaigns across France and Germany. For his valiant efforts as a WWII veteran, he earned the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and was later awarded France’s highest honor, the Legion of Honor Medal, in 2016.
Following his military service, Dan leveraged the GI Bill to pursue higher education, first at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and then earning his master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. It was there he met Norma Specht, a fellow graduate student, with whom he fell deeply in love. They were married in Ragersville, Ohio, in 1951, embarking on a nearly 74-year journey together.
The young couple soon moved west to Sausalito, where Dan began his career as an executive for the San Francisco Community Chest. Demonstrating adaptability and ambition, he quickly pivoted to the insurance industry, obtaining his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation and dedicating three decades to a successful career as a life insurance agent with Home Life Insurance Company.
Dan and Norma built their family life in the Greenbrae and Kentfield neighborhoods of Marin County, raising four children: William, David, Katherine, and Philip. Dan was a highly engaged father and community leader, actively participating in organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Little League, and the Central Marin Rotary, where he also served as president. This period, however, also brought immense sorrow with the devastating loss of their eldest son, Billy, in a tragic bicycle accident in 1968, a testament to the family’s strength.
Beginning in the 1970s, Dan emerged as a prominent Libertarian leader, founding “FREE MARIN, A Journal of Ideas for the Libertarian / Free Market Community” and the Free Marin Supper club, which hosted notable speakers from across the nation. His passionate advocacy for individual rights, limited government, and against war led him to run for Congress in 1980 and for Governor of California in 1982 as the Libertarian Party candidate, leaving a significant community impact on political discourse.
After his successful career in life insurance, Dan established his own independent agency, specializing in private health insurance, a business his son Phil would later join and still runs today. Retiring in 1994, Dan and Norma moved from Kentfield to Roseville in 1996, and later to Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield in 2014. He embraced retirement with vigor, enjoying bridge, bocce, theater, and staying active with bike clubs, riding his recumbent bike into his ninety-ninth year, reflecting a truly vibrant centenarian life.
In June 2024, at the age of 99, Dan was profoundly honored in Normandy, France, joining dozens of other WWII veterans at an emotional ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Another cherished milestone arrived on May 30, 2025, when he celebrated his 100th birthday. Poetically, his peaceful passing on June 6th marked the 81st anniversary of D-Day, a fitting conclusion to a life intertwined with history.
Dan is survived by his beloved wife Norma, also 99; his children David, Phil, and Katie; and seven grandchildren, all of whom continue to carry forward the legacy of this remarkable centenarian. His obituary reflects a life of profound influence and enduring values.
