Daniel Bryan Verkade

Daniel Bryan Verkade, age 66, of Temecula, California passed away at his home on Monday, December 2, 2024. Daniel is survived by his loving wife Betsy of 45 years, his son Karl and grandson Bowen; his daughter Heidi Racusin and granddaughters Chloe, Emelia, and Alexandra; his daughter Michelle; his son-in-law Eric Racusin; his soon to be daughter-in-law Stephanie Struck; his sister Valerie Caulk and her family; and his sister Vonda Bell and her family, as well as numerous other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Grace Verkade, and his brother James.

Daniel was born in Long Beach, CA, to Andrew and Grace Verkade. Known as Dan to friends and family, Dan was an avid musician, scholar, and mechanic, known when he was a teen to ride motorcycles with his dad and brother and to take apart cars and televisions and put them back together. Dan was often with either a guitar or piano keys under his fingers. He had a natural knack for all things math and science. As he would say, “long familiar with the exactitudes of the mathematical world.”

Dan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Cal State San Bernardino, but taught himself computer programming and worked for over four decades as a successful software engineer, even having an integral hand in the programming of the original Apple II in the 1980’s, or as he would say, the good ol’ days.

He met his soulmate Betsy Warner in 1978 while serving on staff at Forest Home Christian Conference Center in Forest Falls in the San Bernardino mountains, and they were married in 1979. They formed a beautiful family, close and loving. They have three loving children, and four beautiful grandchildren.

Dan was known as a man of kindness and integrity to everyone he met, serving the Lord in Bible studies and on the keyboards and piano on multiple worship teams. He considered his family and his God as his greatest joys.

Dan passed away on the evening of December 2nd, 2024 due to complications of ALS, which he battled bravely in his final years. He passed at home surrounded by the family he cherished. He will be forever loved.