Frederick Dannov

Fred was born on April 30, 1930 in Chicago, IL the son of Edward and Rae Dannov who preceded him death. He was married to Lura Juanita (Nita) Craft on December 25, 1952, she preceded him in death on February 6, 1999. He then married Eileen Braun on February 20, 2000, who survives of the home. Fred graduated from Westminster College before entering the army during the Korean War. After being discharged Fred earned his Masters in Political Science and then his Law degree from The University of Missouri. He practiced law in Columbia until September of 1999 when he moved to California.

Other survivors include: his wife, Eileen of the home; son David Dannov (Sally) of Fairway, Kansas; daughter Michelle (Dana) Cecil (Mark) of Columbia; brother, Barney Dannov of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Patricia Dannov, Michael Dannov, Matthew Cecil, and Michael Cecil. He was also preceded in death by two brothers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.

A celebration of Frederick's life will be held Saturday April 6, 2019 form 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Peachtree Event Center in Columbia.

IN HONOR OF MY DEAR BROTHER, FRED

Some written words in honor of my brother, Fred, whose memory I will cherish for the remainder of my years.

Fred was the oldest of the four Dannov brothers. I was the next to youngest. Ten years, a full decade, separated us. As a kid, that difference was a big deal. Fred was already in high school when I was in kindergarten. I was still in elementary school when Fred was far from home attending Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. Consequently, during the years I grew up—the 1940s and 1950s--I really didn’t have much contact with Fred. Because of the age difference, we didn’t have the opportunity to play or hang out with each other. He was simply, “big brother.” Despite that, I really admired Fred during my childhood years. He possessed a strong personality and a demonstrable independent streak which was especially evident in his relationship with our parents. Fred was his own person—a person true to his interests, judgments, and beliefs. He was certainly opinionated too—but over time those opinions invariably proved to be the correct ones. I also noted that he was always popular with his peers—and obviously a leader whom others respected.

Over the passing decades and particularly during the time we were both adults raising families, Fred was always a good brother—in the best sense of the term. He always treated me with the utmost respect politeness, and kindness—to me personally, to my wife, and to our two children. Moreover, I can’t recall a single incident where we had an unpleasant interaction or argument—ever! That’s probably highly usual among brothers.

As I grew up and then became an adult, we were separated—usually by a lot of miles and more. Fred married Nita before I even became a teenager. He began raising his family while l was in college. After college and throughout the 1960s—during my younger adult days—I was single and on Navy active duty, usually overseas. However, whenever possible, during periodic change of assignment travel across the USA, I would stop off in Columbia and spend a few days, visiting with Fred, Nita, and later with David and Michelle. And whenever I did, the welcome mat was always pulled out for me. I always felt like I was part of the immediate family too. And, during those visits, at late night, after David and Michelle had gone to bed, Fred, Nita and I would remain in the basement family room until the wee hours, continuing to have a few adult beverages together, and “chewing the fat.” Overall, just wonderful memories of my times at 1123 Falcon Drive in Columbia.

Throughout my occasional visits to the Dannov residence in Columbia, I couldn’t help but notice that Fred had become well known throughout the local community—a respected, accomplished lawyer and highly liked by all. Of course, this was no surprise to me, knowing first-hand his exceptional personal traits. He was articulate and possessed clear-sighted wisdom, excellent judgment, top-notch intellect, and stellar people skills—all enhanced by a refreshing sense of humor. It was evident that others instinctively saw those fine qualities in Fred as well. Plus he was an honorable man to boot. And, most importantly, I could see that he was a devoted husband and father too—totally dedicated to his beloved family.

After leaving Navy active duty in the 1970s, I finally settled down too with my wife, Tori, and began raising my own family. But since we were in Southern California and Fred and family were in Missouri, we didn’t see each other that much. But every so often, Fred would make the trek to California with Nita, David, and Michelle—and stay in my home, interacting with my family and kids. Initially, I can remember (on one of their first visits in the early 70s) the huge Winnebago Motorhome they used to make the long haul from Missouri to California and back. It was almost as long as our house was wide! When Fred and family traveled, they certainly traveled “in style” with all the comforts of home. What was especially nice during their Southern California travels is that Fred and family would always stay with us, despite having other options. Obviously we were Fred’s favorites, as were he and his family to us. Consequently my relationship with Fred grew increasingly close. It also became more and more evident that our views of the world in general were quite similar. We were truly brothers!

My wife, Tori, and I also visited Fred, Nita, and family in Columbia several times during the 1980s and early 90s—and were always impressed by the hospitality and kindness we received during all our stays there.

Another memory I have concerning my brother and the nature of our relationship involves my daughter, Barbra. I believe the year was 1982, when Barbra was 12 years old; she traveled solo to Columbia that summer for a week-long visit with Fred and his family. When Barbra returned home, she was extremely complimentary about her experience in Columbia and said she was “treated so nice, just like family.” Over the years, as mentioned above, Fred displayed unmistakable affection and warmth toward my entire family—wife and children alike.

Another good trait of Fred’s was that he was pragmatic. A humorous example of this was retold frequently by both him and Nita throughout the years. It involved David when he was a toddler still in diapers and when Nita happened to be away from the house. So dad Fred was fully “in charge” when son David incurred a “number two accident.” Normally Nita would handle; however, she was not available. So Fred, not having much first-hand experience in such matters, immediately figured out the best way to manage the emergency situation. Without hesitation, he took David outside to where there was an exterior water spigot connected to a hose, gingerly removed David’s soiled diaper, and then hosed David down as appropriate to clean him up. Certainly this reaction was an instance that demonstrated Fred’s practicality in solving unforeseen problems and a prime example of what “good fathers” need to do when confronted by crises.

During trips to Columbia to see Fred, he always took us to his favorite dining location—a 50s style diner (I forget the name of the establishment; it may not even exist today). All the servers there knew Fred by name and what he always ordered. He was a popular regular there. And, Fred, a notoriously picky eater, had found his culinary paradise.

None of us are perfect, and Fred was no exception to that rule. He was most definitely a stubborn person. Once he made up his mind, it was almost impossible to persuade him to change his course of action.

Fred was disconsolate when Nita passed in early 1999 (after a long debilitating illness): they had been married for 46 years. I saw him then at Nita’s memorial service and noticed how miserable and depressed he was. But he pulled through it, assisted by Eileen, a widow who had been a high school classmate of Fred’s in the late1940s. They had become acquainted again at the 50th anniversary of their graduating class. After Nita’s death, Fred and Eileen commenced communicating and seeing each other. They married in 2000, and Fred sold the Columbia home (where he had resided for 40 years) and moved to Southern California to be with Eileen. Fred regained happiness and contentment with Eileen—a wonderful, loving woman.

By that time, Tori and I were living in Phoenix, Arizona. Our kids had grown up, and we too were empty nesters. Over the next 18 years, we saw Fred and Eileen frequently, usually at least once a year—sometimes at our home, sometimes at their place in Santa Ana. It was nice that Fred was a lot closer to us now—400 miles away, as compared to the much further distance of Columbia. Again we always had very pleasant visits with each other. And most importantly, it was obvious that Fred’s zest for living had once again been restored. He certainly enjoyed tinkering with and driving his classic autos—especially that beautiful bright red Mercedes convertible.

I had the opportunity (together with my wife and son, Bjorn) to visit Fred one final time on November 18, 2018, just six days before his passing. Although bedridden and understandably dispirited due to his condition, Fred was alert and truly pleased to see us. We stayed with him for a few hours and enjoyed nice conversation reminiscing about the past. I was so grateful to have been able to say a final good-bye to my dear brother.

Now that Fred has departed this world, I will miss him terribly and think of him often with respect, admiration, and love. So Fred, wherever you are right now, I want you to know that I will never forget you…ever. In my eyes and in my memory, you were truly a good person, as well as a good brother—the best! May you rest in eternal peace. Goodbye for now!

Barney Dannov

January 15, 2019