It's done. We have spent the last couple of months going through everything in the garage shop, the wood shop, and the attic in the garage. We found new homes for almost every item, and not just a place for it to sit around, we found homes that will use and cherish these items.




I remembered, and learned, so much about my Dad during this. We found numerous awards and accommodations from his many years at I.B.M., and in those I learned that my Father did not stop when most others would. If he was asked for his assistance with a small issue, he would look at the whole situation, help out with the issue presented to him, and check back from time to time to insure things where going smooth. It was not his project, however, his name was now part of it and he wanted the project to succeed. It sounds a lot like parenting, but without the awards.




I remembered that my Dad respected a lot of people. To him, it did not matter what your job title was, he did not base his friendships like that. He treated people fairly and honestly. He did not flaunt his intelligence, he used to help and assist anyone in need. In his profession he worked closely with many people from many different backgrounds. In all the work related conversations I was lucky enough to be part of, I never heard him talk negatively about anyone, even the “bean counters”. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this sounds a lot like my Grandfather.




My Dad was a great guy! He made mistakes, however, he learned from them and did not let those mistakes bring him down. I wish I would have started paying attention to his advice earlier in my life.




It hit me last night as Kevin and I were standing at the back of my truck, in the driveway with the view we will never see again, that not only did Dad pass away, but we are leaving our home. It was very saddening, but at least we have all the memories of Dad and our home.




I love him so much, and miss him even more.




John Sainsbury

I have so many memories of Dan, some of them very funny, some sad, and others that are better left just alone. One of my "that's so Dan" memories is this one. It was a time when we were still dating. We had gone to Lodi to a relative's home of one of his room mates. They were an older couple I guess around the age of 30. Dan and I were 19 at the time. We were all sitting in the family room and Dan picks up this thing that looks like a pistol, and starts to fool around with it. Checking out what it was, and how it worked. Dan asked the man what was it supposed to do. He tells Dan that it was a cigarette lighter, that it doesn't work, and that he (Dan) should put it down. Dan says with great confidence "I can fix it for you". The guy tells him not to bother that he likes it just the way it is. Not to be deterred Dan starts to take it apart. Now the guys is starting to get upset. Doesn't faze Dan one bit. He works on it for a few minutes and puts it back together and tells the guy "It works now". He was with out a doubt one of the most handy men I have ever known. He would take on challenges with all the confidence in the world that it would be completed and for the most part done correctly. It turned into a learning experience for the boys as well. Although at the time they were not to happy to be participating in one of dad's projects, time has turned the memory into one that brings a smile to your face and a chuckle to your voice. I am talking about when you guys put the new roof on the house. He was a good man, a great father, awesome grandpa, and all and all one heck of a guy. I will always be grateful to him for giving me 4 wonderful children that are very much like their dad. He will be missed.

Pam Sainsbury

I first met Dan at our Single Family Home Evenings, and he later became my dental hygiene patient. I want to share how fondly I remember him. At first impression, he was a quiet, cheerful man with a good sense of humor and a lot of fun. He always brought the best bread for our dinners. (Dutch crunch, which he pretended to have baked) He brought the most interesting and unusual puzzles for us to work, and he was quite proficient at working them. After getting to know him better, it was obvious that he was also a very tender, gentle man. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. I was excited when my good friend Joan started dating Dan. They seemed to be a perfect match for each other. I was thrilled to hear of their engagement, and celebrated with them the day they were sealed to each other. What a memorable ceremony that was to witness! I am saddened at Joan's loss, but glad that it is only tempory, and that they have much time to spend together in the life after this. Dan will be missed by all who had the priviledge of knowing him.

"Yeah, I know what you mean Dad."

My dad was the kind of person that was so involved in so many things, that it must have been hard to keep track of all the little details in everything.
I think, his first date with then girlfriend Joan was to see Bob Newhart do a comedy routine. For weeks leading up to it, he would tell John and I he was going to see Bob Hope. "Didn't he pass away, like years ago? What venue is he playing at? I might want to see that."
A friend of mine got married in Las Vegas, a renaissance wedding at Excaliber. I dressed up as "The Dread Pirate Roberts" from "The Princess Bride". He went around telling everyone I was going as someone from "The Princess Diary".
"Yeah, I know what you mean Dad. Thanks."

Ode to my father

You gave me potential without thinking about it.
You gave me strength without lifting a finger.
You gave me ability without a single gesture,
and you gave me wisdom without a comment.
You made me a better person by being yourself,
and you made the world a better place by being.

I Love You and Miss You Immensely
Kevin Sainsbury

This is Mike Klapp speaking.

Very sorry I could not attend either the funeral service or the "memorial picnic". Work schedule, etc.

Dan was probably the first person I met when I transferred to San Jose from Manassas, VA, in 1975. We struck up a friendship and worked together on and off for the next eighteen years until I retired in 1993. He was a great friend and an all-around good guy.

Dan had been SCUBA certified about ten years already when I met him. We got talking about diving one day and it didn't take long for me to get into a course. In April, 1976, I was certified. Dan went on my check-out dives with me. After that, we went on many memorable trips together, some warm water, some in the "cooler waters" off the CA coast. I am presently in Georgia on an extended RV trip, otherwise I could probably find some pictures (at home) I could publish. On of my favorites would be one of Dan on the deck of one of the boats off the southern coast. The expression on his face is classic, asking, "You want to do ANOTHER dive?". I could usually out-run him in dives in one day.

The other trait in Dan was a great love for his children. He always made sure they had a place to "bunk-up" if they needed it for whatever reason. I had not met his grandchildren, except for Samantha several years ago, but they all had a place in his heart.

God speed, good buddy.

Grandkids

Dan has three grandsons and a granddaughter. Joey is the oldest, son of Chris and Kim. His younger brother is Joshua. Lukas is Deanna's son. Samantha is John's daughter.

Dan is also Grandpa Dan to Anique, Layla, Athena, Daisy, and Trillium. More pix later...

Dan and Joan

Dan and Joan started dating in December 2007. They were engaged in July 2008 and married in the Oakland Temple on November 21, 2008. These pictures include some from the time they were dating, the wedding, the honeymoon, and the 6 month anniversary party.

Family

Dan married Pam before going to Vietnam. They have four children, John, Chris, Kevin, and Deanna. Dan loved his children immensely and they love him. When Dan was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon cancer, it was John and Kevin that moved in with him and cared for him during those first crucial weeks of recovery.

Chris lives out of state, but Dan visited them often (pictures to follow). Deanna lives in the southern part of the central coast and visited often.

Dan and Pam divorced about three years before his death.

Younger days

Dan was the second child of Leroy and Mary Sainsbury. His older brother is Alan and his younger siblings are twins, Jean and Jerry.

Dan served in the Army for two years, active, and two years reserve. He did a tour of duty in Vietnam, returning home in 1969

Dan was a machinist, starting with IBM at age 18, fresh out of high school. He was trained on the job. He became a Master Toolmaker and Modelmaker. He worked closely with scientists at the research facility in Almaden, helping them with the unique tools and models they needed for their research. He was eventually "sold off" to Hitachi, where he ran the Model Shop, working to within a few days of his death.