Daniel Ganser

Daniel Paul Ganser, 71, passed away peacefully July 12, 2016. He was born in Mishawaka, the fourth son of the late William and Thelma (Fontayne) Ganser. He was a 1962 graduate of South Bend St. Joe High School and later earned a degree in psychology from Indiana University South Bend. In 1965 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radioman on the USS Annapolis off the coast of Vietnam. Dan – otherwise known as Danny, Da Pooch, Pops, Pappa San, Dad, and Pappie – was known for his kind heart and loving devotion to his family, friends, and community. After graduating from IUSB, he began his career with Elkhart Brass followed by Pillsbury Green Giant as a human resources manager – a job that led him from South Bend to Lafayette. In 1986 he joined Alcoa as a labor relations manager. A long-time member of St. Thomas Aquinas, he also served in numerous leadership positions with several local organizations, including the YMCA Board of Directors, Lafayette Leadership Academy, Food Finders Food Bank, Boy Scouts of America, and the VA’s Vet-to-Vet program. A lifelong Notre Dame fan, he loved taking his monkeys grandsons for rides on the tractor at his farm, fishing, golfing, bird watching, coaching, running, and rooting for his beloved Fighting Irish on the football field. He leaves behind a great legacy of love, personal sacrifice, and family values with five children – Jennifer Marie Ganser (Chris Robinson) of Indianapolis, IN, Gretchen Danielle Ganser Campbell (Christopher) of West Melbourne, FL, Stephanie Yvette Gustine of Lafayette, Theresa Sophia Ganser of Los Angeles, and John Joseph Camiel Ganser (Jessica) of Lafayette; three grandchildren – Christopher Ryan Campbell Jr., Oliver Duffy Robinson, and Lukas John Ganser; seven siblings – Robert Ganser (Linda) of Canton, OH, Michael Ganser (Marian) of Topeka, KS, Rose Schwartz (Dave) of Reevesville, SC, William Ganser Jr. of South Bend, Christopher Ganser (Kelly) of Cranford, NJ, George Ganser (Stephanie) of Carmel, IN, and Steven Ganser (Kelly) of Marcellus, MI; stepsiblings Terry Henderson (Jenny) of Bloomington, IN, Curtis Henderson (Sally) of South Bend, Susan Henderson of Mishawaka, and Sally Henderson; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; two former wives – Jane (Stachowicz) Ganser and Anne (Stratigos) Ganser; and devoted dog Sammy, who, incidentally, does not bark at the moon. In his death he is reunited with his parents, grandson Gabriel Joseph Ganser, stepmother Frances (Henderson) Ganser, stepsister Linda Constant, niece Lisa McReynolds, nephew David Ganser, and a plethora of beloved dogs and cats. Visitation will be Sunday July 17 from 3-6pm at Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St. in Lafayette. Funeral will be Monday July 18 at 10am at St. Thomas Aquinas 535 W. State St. in West Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses. While grieving this enormous loss, his family is comforted by the fondest of memories and faith in knowing the distance is only temporary. As Da Pooch would say, “Makes the world go ‘round.”

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