Re: Dan Freeman, 1958-2026

Author: Bill Anderson

Posted: 2026-10-12 at 17:57:25

Ted,

Good guy.

Around 2014-1015 or so Dan lived in SoCal for a bit. I got a call for an

emergency VFP gig that I couldn't handle at the time and passed it to him.

Supposed to have been a month long, he lasted 3 years.

Later on we worked together for a year.

Always nice to talk to him. RIP.

Bill Anderson

On Mon, Oct 12, 2026 at 11:17 AM Ted Roche <tedroche@gmail.com> wrote:

> Sad news. I considered Dan a good friend. He and I hung out a couple of

> times when his training schedule brought him to Massachusetts. And he was a

> great regular at conferences in the 90's. We shared our experiences in the

> military, and he was rightfully proud of his important work with "The

> President's Own Marine Corp Band." RIP, my friend.

>

>

> https://obituaries.sunsetfuneralhome.com/daniel-freeman

>

> Obit below,

>

> Daniel J. Freeman

> Daniel Joseph Freeman was born on September 3, 1958, in Champaign,

> Illinois, and died on July 17, 2026, in Urbana, Illinois.

>

> Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Jane Ellen (Hutchinson) Freeman

> and Orrin Jackson Freeman. He is survived by his sister, Judith Lynn

> Freeman of Aurora, Colorado.

>

> Dan’s passion for music developed at an early age. Through his father, he

> was introduced to Dixieland music and began studying the clarinet. As his

> musical talent grew, so did his love for classical and symphonic music.

>

> While attending the University of Illinois, Dan became an active member of

> an elite specialty clarinet choir. Through his involvement with the

> organization, he expanded his musical abilities beyond performance,

> developing skills in musical arranging and conducting.

>

> During this same period, Dan worked in the archives of the University of

> Illinois Library, where he learned the specialized skills of restoring and

> preserving rare books. His unusual combination of musical knowledge,

> technical ability, and appreciation for historical preservation would

> eventually lead him to a remarkable career with the United States Marine

> Band.

>

> Dan served as librarian for the Marine Band, where he was involved in

> preserving original manuscripts of the renowned American composer and

> bandleader John Philip Sousa. During his tenure, he also became an early

> pioneer in the use of microcomputers, introducing computer cataloging to

> help organize the Marine Band’s extensive collection of music.

>

> After his military service, Dan pursued a career as a computer engineer,

> developing software applications and bringing his technical talents to a

> new field.

>

> In retirement, Dan enjoyed the simple pleasures of time spent with friends

> and the things he loved. He enjoyed playing board games, woodworking,

> taking walks with his dog, Major, and cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs.

>

> Dan will be remembered for his extraordinary combination of musical talent,

> intellectual curiosity, technical skill, and devotion to preserving the

> things he valued. His life connected music, history, technology, and

> friendship in ways that were uniquely his own.

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©2026 Bill Anderson