Dan was a kind boss, respected mentor, and a dear friend.
As a boss, Dan was unsurpassed.  While I’ve worked with many, Dan was the best.  He was the quiet doer building a sales team while growing customer relationships and sales.  He had the voice of reason when times became hectic and others were unsure what to do.  He gladly gave credit to others and celebrated their successes.
Dan was a great mentor.  He willingly shared how the aftermarket had evolved and grown.  He knew all the customer leaders and industry executives.  He was able to forge alliances with strategic fellow suppliers to target and win key new customers that grew the business.  
Dan knew when it was time to work and time to play.  He could be at a convention and work day and night for days on end.  But when business was done, it was time to relax.  Dan enjoyed a good dinner with friends, and if you needed to find Dan, you should always check the keno parlor.  I could never figure out how he could play until morning and then go take a shower and head to the airport to fly home.
He could be serious one minute and a deceptive jokester the next.  He could spin a tale to an unexpected recipient when you least expected it.  At times it was tough just keeping up with him so the ruse wasn’t discovered.
I drove out to have lunch with Dan and Anna on one business trip.  We spent the afternoon on his patio just talking and reminiscing about the way it used to be.  The afternoon slipped away far too quickly.
Dan was one of the good guys.  He is missed by many and I look forward to meeting up again someday.


Our deepest sympathies.
Having been where you are now, I know there are no words of mine that can assuage your grief. This circumstance is another part of life, and I can tell you that we may not get over but we do get used to the thought that our mentor and most trusted father has gone to a better place.
Your dad sounds like a wonderful person and I am sorry I did not get to know him in this life, but you can carry his memory in your heart and that will never age and will be unchanging.
Maria and I will pray for peace and understanding and healing for you and your family during this process, and please call if you want to talk - any time.


In my 24 years at FelPro I served with or under Dan Borland.  He was indeed a gentleman and an intelligent director of Replacement Sales.  So easy to work with, and a great director of the activities of the Sales Force.  My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Dan and Ann at their home in Las Vegas.  After a tour of his area, we had an excellent dinner with them, and exchanged many memories together.  He has been and will be missed by many.

It was a privilege to have worked with Dan at Fel-Pro.  I had always admired him for his politeness and willingness to listen.

This a memory my mom (Barb/Bobbie) wanted me to share for her since she doesn't use a computer.
A long time ago, Dan, (who she nicknamed Doodie) and his sister Marlene lived near my mom.  My mom's family was really poor that year---they had chopped up a piano to use as firewood to keep warm.  They were not going to get a Christmas Tree so of course they were very sad about that, but no sooner did Dan find out---he and Marlene brought a Christmas Tree to their home!   They made that a fantastic Christmas for my mom's family. THAT is the kind of man Dan Borland was.  <3

So many good memories with Papa Dan, I find it difficult to pick just one. I remember fun times in the basement at his house in IL, my first cruise trip, and my first trip to Vegas as a teenager.  I remember staying with him in Vegas to gamble for my first time at 21.  Despite us living far from him, we were able to spend a few birthdays and holidays together. For the ones we couldn't, we shared long phone calls over politics and Chicago pizza.  This last visit with him will always hold a special place in my heart.  Papa Dan met my son Kyler. We  had such a great time sharing stories with him and Ann, especially at Buca di Beppo. Papa Dan was a great man and already missed so much. 

I'll add an Uncle Dan story that we still tell to this day.

Our families were together at one of our yearly wedding receptions in the early 80s. Around 10:00 PM, Gina and I left the reception to take a walk. As we entered the hallway, we noticed the wedding reception across the hall was taking a massive family picture. There had to be over 100 people in this picture. We stopped to watch the picture being taken and heard the photographer ask the gentleman on the far right to squeeze in a little. We looked over and noticed the gentleman on the far right was.......... Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan was smiling and waving to the camera. No one questioned who he was so the photographer took the picture.  When the family was done, Uncle Dan came back to our reception and continued celebrating. A classic moment that will never be forgotten. That was something I always wanted to do but the memory of Uncle Dan doing it always cracks me up.

So sorry to hear of Uncle Dan's passing. Our paths haven't crossed for years but all the good memories will last forever. We hope everyone is doing well and that you stay strong during this time of sorrow. All the good times our families shared will keep a big smile on our faces. Sending all of our love from Chicago.

Richie, Gina, Matt, Ryan, and Shannon

OBITUARY

Hugh Daniel Borland

6 June, 1932 – 10 April, 2020

Palm Cheyenne Mortuary

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