Toquerville, Utah – Daniel Robison Walsh, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away February 11, 2021 at the St. George Regional Hospital in St. George, Utah. He was born October 22, 1944 in Long Beach, California, to Charles and Josephine Robison Walsh. When he was two years old, his family returned to Logandale, Nevada, the childhood home of both of his parents.

As a youth he was active in Boy Scouts and relished adventures: cave exploring, hiking the Grand Canyon, going to Philmont Scout Ranch, and generally exploring the great outdoors. He began his lifelong love of animals on the small family farm where he raised rabbits, pigs, and a prize steer.

He graduated from Moapa Valley High School in 1961 and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1963 to 1965 in Mexico. There he gained an enduring love of the Mexican people and menudo soup. In 1966, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served most of his tour in Livorno, Italy. When not on duty he spent much of his time traveling through Italy and southern Europe. His fluency in Spanish helped him to quickly become fluent in Italian. Among other pursuits, he became a certified scuba diver. He received an honorable discharge in 1969.

At a M Men and Gleanors, young adult church activity Dan met Merry Aloha Kunz. Either due to his ineptness at playing croquet or to a deliberate attempt to get her attention, he hit her in the leg with a croquet ball. Regardless of the cause of this impactful introduction, the result was they got married in the St. George Temple, March 20, 1970.

In 1971, he joined the Las Vegas Fire Department. His firefighting career had an unexpected but temporary pause when in 1974 he broke his back fighting a fire. After a lengthy recovery he was able to return to work as a fire inspector and eventually against the odds he resumed firefighting, although he lived with pain for the rest of his life.

During these years, Dan and Merry lived in several homes in Las Vegas as well as spending time in Logandale and more importantly, they welcomed their five children into their home.

In 1996, Dan had his first heart attack and was forced to retire from the fire department. Following retirement, the family moved to Pahrump and bought his father-in-law's homestead. There he raised chickens, goats and rabbits.

In 2004 they moved to Toquerville, Utah, where he had less land, but even more animals. In addition to the chickens, goats, and rabbits, at times he enjoyed sheep, cattle, turkeys and ducks. Although he denied it, he must have liked heart attacks nearly as much as he liked animals, because it seems he had them in nearly equal number.

In Toquerville he honored and remembered his pioneer heritage by becoming active in the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, including serving a year as the president of the Hurricane Chapter. He loved his family and going camping with them. He also loved serving in the temple.

Because of his compassion Dan took in strays--both people and animals. He loved the Savior Jesus Christ. He had a firm testimony of Christ's atonement and knew that the Great Shepherd had taken him in even though he had strayed. He was prepared to return to his eternal home.

Dan is survived by Merry, his wife of 50 years. He is also survived by his children: Nephi Walsh and his wife Tonilinn; Sarah Ann Walsh; Ruth Ann Walsh; Jared Walsh and his wife Vandy; and Rebekah Walsh Stoddard; and five grandchildren: Sedina Aloha Stoddard, Benjamin Stoddard, Noah Nephi Walsh, Mackenzie Walsh and Danika Cheum Walsh. He is also survived by his siblings: Susannah and her husband Michael Merry; Wandanell Hopkins; and John Joseph (Jack) Walsh and his wife Judy.

Services will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Toquerville, Utah.

Services will be held Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., with a gathering prior at 10:30 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Toquerville Chapel, 63 North Toquerville Blvd., Toquerville, Utah. Interment will follow in the Toquerville Cemetery. Masks are required for those attending services. Attendance can also be via Zoom.

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