Dan Richard Bird, age 80, passed away March 29, 2012 in Provo from an abdominal aneurysm. He was born in his family home in Springville, Utah on January 12, 1932 to Reed Bird and Martha Menett Alleman Bird.
Dan attended schools in Springville. He earned a Bachelor and Masters degree from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Utah. He began a 30-year career in education in 1958 teaching at Grandview Elementary in Provo. He taught for 7 years and was then appointed principal. He was principal of Grandview Elementary until 1974 when he became the Director of Education at Utah State Hospital's Youth Center retiring in 1989. Dan had a lifelong passion for teaching and learning and those he taught benefited from that great passion.
He married LaDean Wright in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 11, 1958. They had 36 wonderful years together, and were serving a temple mission in St. George, Utah at the time of her death in 1995. Dan married Marian Nuttall on May 9, 1998. She brought joy back into his life. Together they served a mission as LDS employment specialists.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dan served in numerous callings, including bishop of a BYU ward, high council, Young Men's President and Priest advisor. He was serving in the High Priest Group leadership at the time of his death.
Dan was a proud member and president of the Brigham Young Chapter of Sons of the Utah Pioneers. He enjoyed reading, working in his flower beds (no vegetables allowed), creating beautiful stained glass windows, and woodworking. Dad never met a tool he didn't like. He spent many happy hours with his family at their cabin in Midway.
He is survived by his wife, Marian, and his children, Christine (Jae) Baxter, Korry (Diane) Bird, Richard (Annette) Bird, Terra (Keller) Clark, Peggy (Ken) Van Ausdal and 19 grandchildren. He is also survived by Marian's children, who he loved as his own, Martha (Ken) Cornwall, Merry Jo (Richard) Rivera, Kathryn (Larry) Beesley, Karen Hastings, Susan (Russ) Muscarella, 18 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Springville Stake Center, 245 South 600 East. Friends and family may call Sunday, March 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, and on Monday at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment, Historic Springville City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuary.com.
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