Daniel J. Fay
December 15, 2013
Daniel J. Fay, 73, of Des Moines died on December 15, 2013 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. He was born on August 27, 1940 to Ed and June Fay. He grew up in Chadron, Nebraska and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport and earned a law degree from the University of Iowa. He worked as an attorney for the Iowa Commerce Commission until retirement at age 55. Dan was an avid motorcyclist and was fond of Harley Davidsons. He enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his son and many friends. During retirement, Dan spent winters in Texas and summers in Des Moines. On October 27, 1967 he married Marge Fay and later divorced. Dan will always be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor.
Survivors include his son Samuel (Cathy) Fay and 3 grandchildren: Laura, Amanda and Ian of Oskaloolsa, Iowa; brothers Michael Fay of Cedar Rapids, IA, Timothy Fay of Anamosa, IA, and John Fay of Anamosa, IA; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A gathering to honor his memory will be held at 1801 East Walnut Street, Des Moines on Saturday, December 21st from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Memorials may be made to Iowa Public Television and Radio.
Patrick Cavanaugh
12/20/2013
Dan will be remembered as a gentle soul, an able colleague at the Iowa Commerce Commission and a true and loyal friend. He loved life and made many of us jealous of his zest for living. I am lucky to be able to count him among my friends.
Gary Ankeny
12/20/2013
Dan was a friend and a co-worker at the Iowa Commerce Commission. He was a big help to me in legal matters at Commerce Counsel. I remember the camping trips, trips to Florida and his attending my father's funeral. The afterwork drink(s) and the turtle races at "So's your mother" are especially memorable. My brother Neil and I went to Florida with Dan one winter. When Neil learned of Dan's passing he said: Hi Gary, Sorry to hear about Dans passing. He was a great guy and a lot of fun. I remember the trip to Florida forever ago, it was a great trip and experience. Even though I have not seen him for a long time I will miss him. Neil
Joan Rotert
12/18/2013
I worked for Consumer Services for the Iowa Utilities Board prior to retirement and enjoyed knowing Dan. I always gave him a bad time about expecting his "ladies" to go camping and roughing it. My husband and I had a motorcycle for a while too but it was a Honda so we discussed the pros and cons of the different bikes.
David Lynch
12/17/2013
I had the pleasure of working many cases with Dan. Sometimes we were on the same side and sometimes we weren't, but he was always a gentleman who told it to me straight and kept his word. I'm glad I had the opportunity to know him and work with (and against!) him.