Every neighborhood needs a Dan Cavanaugh.
My neighborhood in northwest Aberdeen recently lost a good person when 63-year-old Dan Cavanaugh died earlier this month.
When I read Dan’s obit, it read, “Dan was a fixture of the neighborhood.”
I could have not said it better myself.
Dan and his family’s house is a couple of blocks away from our house. But for years, I walked my dogs past Dan’s house every morning. A few times a month, Dan would be out and about, and he always seemed to make my day with his friendly way.
Although I never needed him, I always felt Dan would have done anything for me or any of his neighbors — or anybody.
He gave off this great, sincere vibe of, ‘What can I do to help you?’
When I read his obit, I was surprised to learn Dan played basketball at Aberdeen Central and was the starting center on a Central team that finished second in the State A tourney. When you talked to him, he wanted to talk about you, not himself.
Dan was a humble guy who knew how to bring out the best in people.
Here are some things I found out about Dan, his Golden Eagle teammates and the 1966 State A boys’ basketball tournament:
Webster, coached by Cresbard legend Bob Swanhorst and led by “Wide Clyde” Hagen — the last three-sport star at South Dakota State — defeated Central 51-38 in the championship game.
Central got to the championship with wins over Rapid City (49-47) and Sioux Falls (30-27). (See below for link to an American News archive page of stories, pictures and a column on the 1966 State A.)
Dan and Mike Vogel were co-captains of the Golden Eagles.
I really appreciate the humbleness of people like Dan who were or are involved in sports. I have plenty of people who are only too happy to recall their playing days — sometimes the same people with the same stories over and over again — or tell me how great of an athlete their kid or grandkid is.
Such is the life of a sports editor.
Anyway, one thing that always came through with Dan was his love of the outdoors. South Dakota outdoors had a great friend and promoter in Dan Cavanaugh.
In recent months, I had changed my path for my morning walks with the dogs. But this summer, maybe I will change back and walk by Dan’s house.
If I do, I know I will smile and think of what a great guy Dan was.
John Papendick is the managing news-sports editor for the American News. Readers tell and email him with stuff plus he reads all the daily newspapers in South Dakota on a daily basis. Reach him at jpapendick@aberdeennews.com. Blog: aberdeensports.net/inthehuddle.
Share on FacebookOne Response
0 comments:
Post a Comment