Book of Memories for Dan R. Salden

Condolence From Harrison Skip Stubbs

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:09:21 EDT

I will dearly miss one of my best friends and one with whom i shared many of my life's best moments, in and on the waters off Maui. In the early years of HWRF with Jill, David, and Jeff and many others I worked and sweated alongside Dan to help develop his research and the foundation. Dan was painfully honest and devoted to his life's work and the research foundation he created, the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation. It has taken me a long time to accept his sudden passing. Following what i know to be his wish, I sincerely hope that his life's major work, and his legacy, will continue strongly in the future of his foundation, HWRF. love ya Dan, skip

Condolence From Annette Mulvany Graebe

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:54:26 EDT

When I knew Dan, long ago, he always liked to debate every issue, and I, being also in PR, would talk about working with our local communities, internal publics, and media placement. He'd look away and probably roll his eyes. But, years later, when we developed our PR sequence, he was very supportive. I was always grateful for that. The last time I saw him was at our Emeriti Faculty Dinner at SIUE. He flipped his phone open to show me a short clip about those magnificent creatures of the sea. I was in awe. Still am. Kudos to you, Dan, for your dedication and extraordinary contributions. We'll miss you. Thanks for the memories.

Condolence From Gail Herzog

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:34:52 EDT

Dan was the very first person I met when I went into the Speech Com office in 1979 at the suggestion of Deb McPeak who was a proud graduate of this program. Unknown to anyone in the department, I applied to be a TA. Dan greeted me with fragrant smelling pipe smoke wafting in the air and Dinah Shore on the television. What a fascinating person and dynamic ambience in this space! They took a gamble on this unknown woman, and my life has never been the same since. So very thankful for the kindness, gentleness, and playfulness to engage in a well-developed argument that could only come from the Great Debater Himself. I headed off for a training in Argumentation and Debate at MIT and proceeded to coach our traveling debate team, about which I knew next to nothing. This was far more difficult that arranging our audience participation debates, which was such an adventure, especially when the Russians came for a co-hosted debate with UMSL. Dan was always ready to lend an ear and deliver a well-thought rebuttal with that twinkling grin on his face. Dan was instrumental in fostering the collegial climate in our department I remember with such fondness, gratitude and appreciation. You lived large, Dan! Thanks for the memories! Warmly, Gail Herzog

Condolence From Sonia Zamanou-Erickson

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 07:57:58 EDT

I feel great sadness to lose such a wonderful colleague, mentor and friend. Dan was a truly kind, compassionate, straight forward, bright individual with a great sense of humor. He loved practical jokes and made me laugh every day. He loved a good argument, especially the ones he won! You never had to worry about where you stood with Dan. He would tell you in a straight forward manner, and he would never hold a grudge. He loved his partner of over 25 years, Delores, who has always been a great spouse loving him unconditionally, but especially at the end, she showed an amazing amount of strength and steadfastness. I know she is devastated by his loss and I hope the good memories give her strength. He loved his cats. He loved technology. He hated parties. He loved everything about Hawaii, including bright Hawaiian shirts! Most of all he loved his humpback whales. He was the first to hear their song and admire their beauty and he worked so hard to understand them. His passion for preserving the environment and his love for nature were contagious and touched all of us who knew him. His legacy will continue and his name will forever be associated with these amazing creatures. When Dan retired, I inherited his office. When I went to move in, I saw that Dan had emptied everything. The only thing left behind was an old sweater behind the door, which he wore when he worked on his research late at night. I never got rid of this sweater because it reminded me of Dan and his influence on me, our Department, our University. As long as I work for SIUE, Dan’s sweater will hang behind my door. Thank you, Dan, for everything you taught me, for your wise advice, for the great laughs, for caring. I will miss you very much…

Story shared: competitive group

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:10:16 EDT

For someone seeing a humpback whale competitive group for the first (or even the 20th) time, the experience must have been similar to someone coming from a country where they don't play any team sports, and going to a football game and trying to make sense of the blur of colored jerseys whizzing back and forth. Being with Dan Salden on a research day was like seeing a sports event with the world's best sportscaster. While we were just seeing a jumble of jostling black bodies, Dr. Dan would be calling out "Primary Escort has just blocked Principal Challenger; Point Animal has disaffiliated. Big Breach from disaffiliating whale! Incoming new challenger is approaching female..." Even after years of watching whales, and with some coaching from Dr. Dan on how to figure things out, it just seemed like magic how he instantly sized up the situation and knew which whale was playing which role. It seemed after so many years on the water, he had learned to "think like a whale."

Condolence From Agamit Gal

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:29:35 EDT

Dr. Dan opened my eyes into the fascinating world of whales. Under his guidance I've spent a magical winter in Maui getting to know their world. For that I'll be eternally gratful. Hope you're research will continue. Rest in peace.

Condolence From Riley Maynard

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:19:08 EDT

Dan personified the meaning of a gentleman and a scholar. The last time I saw him was at the Maryville cable office. We talked for 45 minutes. He was delightful. May he rest in peace.

Condolence From Julie LaTempt-Brazier

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:08:40 EDT

Dan was one of my professors while I was a student of his in the Speech Communication program while attending SIUE. My memories of Dan were that of a very outspoken man that was so driven that he taught his students to succeed and to be equally as driven. My heart and prayers go out to the Salden family.

Condolence From Edward Seifert, ABC News (retired)

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:32:35 EDT

Dr Dan was one of the most dedicated people in the field of marine mammal research. I interned with another research team on Maui in '96, '97 and '98, crossing paths with Dan's team on numerous occasions. He was always friendly and informative to those of us learning the ropes. Seeing Dr. Dan at Whale Quest and other venues was always something to look forward to. He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to associate with him.

Condolence From Becky Yellowley Bernhardt

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:31:15 EDT

In the early 1980s I became a student at SIU-E. Not really knowing what major I wanted to pursue, I wandered in the Speech Communications Department and the very first person I met was Dan. He greeted me with a big smile and genuine warmth. I knew then that I was home and where I wanted to be. For the next three years Dan was my professor, my mentor and my friend. If I needed advice, he was there. If I was making a complete idiot of myself he didn't hesitate to let me know it. If I needed support, he was there. I loved Dan and the friend he was to me. After leaving SIU-E, our contact was sporadic and I have moments where I regret that it wasn't more. His compassion, humor, sharp with and love of nature, particularly his humpback whales are how I will remember Dan. To say Dan was special is understatement. God Bless you Dan.

Condolence From Lynn (Hustedde) de Weck

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 03:17:08 EDT

It is hard for me to find the words to express what I feel about Dan. I was a student worker in the Speech communication department at SIUE for a few years. It was a life changing experience for me. My first time away from home, new school, and so very young. The folks in Speech Comm. became my family and Dan, the head of that family for me. I felt scared at first, but with his subtle humor, his gentle, guiding ways, he put me at ease. I grew to love Dan and his advice meant so much. And, he introduced me to Days of Our Lives. We watched together in the office. What a cool boss! :) Those years were long ago, but the influence and the memories have always stayed with me. I have smiled so many times in my life because of a memory or a laugh shared with Dan and the entire staff there. How lucky I am to have had a man such as Dan enter my life just when I needed it most. He influenced my life, touched my soul and lives in my heart always. He was one of the good guys and it makes me so incredibly sad that the world has lost this man. But just as his beloved whales are a part of this universe and so connected to us and the rest of all the species, so too is Dan still connected to us. The stars are made of the same matter as we humans are. He is still a part of our universe now in a different realm. He lives among us always. If we listen closely, we may even hear his call...RIP Dan Salden - you were indeed a very special man.

Photo shared: Salden.jpg

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 13:49:35 EDT

Condolence From Kevin McClearey

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:08:51 EDT

Dan was one of the most honest and compassionate people I ever had the privilege to know. The world is a lesser place without him in it, but I'm comforted by the fact that he was able to pursue his research, about which he was so passionate, for so long - and by the fact that he was able to share that passion with others who loved him. I never see photos of humpback whales or hear a recording of their majestic calls and songs without thinking of Dan - and grinning at the memory of his recordings of those calls echoing through the empty halls of the Rendleman Building (and, later, Classroom Building III) at SIUE when he spent time in his office on weekends. Thanks, Dan, for teaching me - through your words and your actions - so much about the interconnectedness of all the species on this planet and about our joyful opportunity and solemn obligation to be good stewards of the lands and seas we co-inhabit.

Condolence From Jack W. Calve Jr.

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:56:10 EDT

May God bless him.