Daniel Nelson O'Brien

He was preceded in death by his parents, Duke and Helvi O’Brien, and sister, Kathy Shay. Dan is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Debbie, his daughter, Blakely (Matthew), and his three grandchildren - Crew, Porter, and Blaire. Also, continuing his legacy, is his son Daniel “Dane” Nelson O’Brien (Dannica) who are expecting Dan’s fourth grandchild, a boy, in January. And lastly, his niece, Jody Thomas (Bruce) of Iowa.

Dan was born on February 27, 1945, in Pontiac, Michigan. His family moved to Ketchikan, Alaska where he graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1963. Dan and Debbie had recently taken cruises to Alaska to see glimpses of his life in Ketchikan.

He attended the University of Washington, earning his BS degree in Zoology in 1967. He was an active member and Standards Chairman of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He continued on to dental school at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri where he graduated in 1971. He followed with a Pediatric Dentistry Specialty at Indiana University Graduate School in 1973.

Dan met his wife, Debbie, through their love of running while he was training for his first marathon. He went on to participate in several triathlons and the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike race.

Dan was an accomplished pediatric dentist and orthodontist in Renton, Washington. He helped countless patients, and later, their own children, throughout his 46 years in private practice. As a newly graduated dental hygienist, his daughter, Blakely, worked at Dan’s dental practice with him for over a decade.

He became a diplomat of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 1981. He was also an active member of the Seattle-King County Dental Society, The California Pedodontics Research Club, and the Northwestern Medical-Dental Association.

Dan earned his private pilot license in 1973, logging over 23,000 pilot hours, taking his last flight in September of 2023. In the early 1980s while flying in the San Juan Islands, he discovered an undeveloped lot on Blakely Island, known as "The Flying Island." He purchased and cleared that lot and over the next couple of years built a summer home that his family continues to enjoy. Dan made a solo flight to Alaska, several cross-country flights to Michigan, Indiana and beyond. He also flew his plane on a dental mission trip to Guatemala.

Dan enjoyed serving as Scoutmaster for Pack & Troop 600 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue for nine years. In those years the troop honored over 25 Eagle Scouts, including his own son, Dane. Scoutmaster Dan took the scouts on a 50-mile canoe trip in Canada in 2004, the National Jamboree in 2005 and a 76 mile/10 day hike at Philmont in 2006.

Dan’s other interests included snow skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho, summers on Blakely Island with friends and family enjoying boating, crabbing, hiking and simple beach campfires with s'mores!

Dan was always personally involved in home, yard and office projects, while being a full time dentist and devoted father and husband.

Dan was an early charter member of the Bellevue Athletic Club and involved in social and fitness activities with his family from its inception. His church and Bible study were great commitments for Dan and his shared faith with family.

Faith, family, and fitness were the cornerstones of Dan's life.

He will be missed by all who knew him. His loss is great, but the memories of him are far greater.

A private inurnment ceremony was held at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bellevue, Washington with immediate family only.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 20th at 11:00 am at Bellevue Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Daniel O’Brien to Bellevue Presbyterian Church at www.belpres.org