Dan is anything but ugly!

Dave Stroman

Yes, Tim, it was a great time for the while I was there. My son, Tyler, had a great time too. Dan made him feel welcome. Even rooted for the Rockies a couple of times.

Dave Stroman in Denver

Tim Lindstrom

Dan is anything but ugly!

What a great night in Golden Colorado! I don't know how a gathering of exceptional people meeting in a beautiful setting where there is alcohol involved can be called an ugly. Yesterday after the Ferguson/ Dan H. Seminar I had the privilege of attending the "Big Ugly" at the Capital Grill. It was a great gathering of Wetheads including the radiant stud Dennis Bellanti and a bunch of the Ferguson Crew, Tom and Mark from Advanced Hydronics, Carol Fey, Matt Carr, Dave Stroman and his Son, Rick, Roger and others from TM Sales (my competitors, but pretty damn good guys) Noel from Elite Mechanical and lots of others.
The party wound down until there were just three, Noel, Dan and myself. We took a little walking tour of Downtown Golden checking out a couple of local joints. The conversation was not shop talk but was about life, family and everything but what guys are supposed to talk about when we are out on the town. I learned something about Dan that still has me charged up, he is not the "Guru of Hydronics" but instead is the "Guru of People". Read Dan's articles, but when you see a line at the end of it saying something like "Hug your Kids", Dan means it. Dan's zest for life and his wife and family really hit me hard. He taught me a lesson in life last night I will never forget; "grab life by the b***s and give it a squeeze".
We ended up at the Aces High Tavern (a great local joint) where Dan got to know about everyone in the place. Not because Dan was seeking them out but because they gravitated to him. People wanted to meet him because here was a guy that wanted meet other people and be the incredible story teller he is. Remember, there is no shop talk here and the stories were as entertaining as his seminars.
While all this was a lot of fun to be a part of, one thing impacted the evening more than anything. There was a man sitting alone at a booth with his beer and a book. He was writing entries into this book. Dan noticed this and approached the guy. He asked him what he was writing and the man really seemed surprised and answered "just words". Dan explained he was an author and was curious about other writers. The man was very quiet and went back to his business. I found out later this man had been a regular of this tavern for a least 10 years and was in there every night. He was always alone, had a book and never spoke or interacted with anyone in those years. A little while after Dan spoke this man he got up and came over to Dan. He started speaking with Dan and some of the other Patrons. Soon he was smiling and hoisting his beer and even singing along to the jukebox. A couple of the regulars were amazed because the guy had never talked to anyone before. A good song must have come onto the jukebox because this man set his beer down and started dancing with a lady half his age and was having a blast. Big tough guys are not supposed to get emotional, but knowing someone that had been a shell for years and broke out for a night because Dan showed him some kindness can change this. This man may go back into his shell or stay out of it forever. Either way, Dan gave a total stranger a little bit of happiness. Dan didn't go out of his way to do this, it's just Dan. What a great lesson.
Thanks for a great night Dan, I didn't learn squat about hydronics but I got a life lesson I will never forget. God bless you Pal, Tim

J.C.A._3

Yeah Tim....

Dan's been known to do that.... you're right!

The first time I met him was at the first Wetstock.I had gotten out of back surgery 5 days earlier and he noticed me limping in. He made me feel right at home, AND pointed me out (while understandably, CONSTANTLY being seated)to some of the best and brightest minds in the room.What could be better? I met some of my best friends that day!

His heart is just as big as he is. Thanks for the feel good story. Chris

DanHolohan

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

And Tim, it's always a joy to be with you. After you left, we were hanging out outside. A homeless guy came along and we invited him in to join the party. Bonnie wouldn't serve him, which was probably a good thing, but we collected some money for him. Good times. We made a memory. Thanks, pal.

[Deleted User]

Dan...

is a great friend. So are you Tim, good to see you all. Wish I could have stayed longer, but duty called.

ME