Dear Reader

HeatingHelp

Dear Reader

After thirty six years of writing for industry magazines, Dan Holohan retires with his final column about what his readers have meant to him.

Read the full story here

hot1

I weep as I read this and that is tough for a man who is not known for emotion. God bless Marianne!

Vinnie Smedick_3

Thank you Dan for all you have taught us. We contractors, who care, are definitely smarter thanks to you and the lovely Marianne!

Redbaran

Beautiful.

MarjPinard

OH Dan! Thank you for the years of histories and mysteries; for the help you've been to me a housewife. I loved steam heat as a kid and when we bought our house in 1972 your book became a heating bible for me..often to sort heating companies (Even Today, I find companies that say "Yes, I will work on Steam Heat". Tis true, they will work and know nothing about steam ). I've loved reading your column and the comments; the problems and the solutions... Please say you'll continue to re-run the column and/or have a consultant who will continue the Joy! Blessings and love and caring to you and your family,

Nick_Castrads

You're a true inspiration Dan, a once-in-a-generation leader. This is such a moving piece and I feel very lucky that our paths crossed. You have always been so kind; a true mentor. Your boundless generosity has inspired a whole generation (or three!) to better understand the great shoulders on which we all stand, and my business - which I hope will put my own girls through college - simply wouldn't exist were it not for The Lost Art and the Dead Men that went before.

Thank you for all you've given
Nick

Brckwrth

Thank you Dan. And thank you for all you have taught me, a mere owner of an old house with a boiler and rads, in Winnipeg. Enjoy your retirement and family.

mattman

Dan you will be sorely missed. We had you out in St. Louis several times and you always drew a great crowd with your knowledge and your humor. I remember you saying "you can't make this up" about some of the things you found. Godspeed my friend.

Mark Eatherton

Congratulations Dan! You deserve to take a break. You've toiled hard and have made a HUGE difference in our World. I personally want to thank you for making me the person that I am. Without you, I would not have had the wonderful career in hydronics that I had.. Thank you, TLM and your family for everything you've done. Unlike us, that knowledge you have imparted to our industry will live on for ever. Your legacy will live on forever... Thank you. Your friend in Colorado.

MarkMurf

The industry, the trade, and anyone who has the opportunity to proudly refer to themselves as a 'Heating Man' all owe you a debt of gratitude, Dan Holohan . And equally to Marianne, for truely, behind every lucky, great man there truely is a great woman . Our gratitude is a 50/50 split between you both. Just the way it aught to be . This old 'burner tech', 'boiler engineer' sends heart felt condolences.
As a pre-teen, a clear memory of myself standing in our livingroom window with tears in my eyes watching my father pull away in his heating service station wagon,("Easier parking on the streets of Bayonne, N.J. than vans .","Yes Dad.")." Ma ! Why can't I go to work with Dad !?" I screamed . Oh, I certainly did end up going to work with Dad. And 55 years later, with a Chevy box van with Murphys Heating Service artfully painted on the side parked out front( I really usually drive the Chevy Suburban. It's easier to park on the steets of Livingston, Mt.) His answer to my youthful question,"Are we plumbers Dad ?", which was, with a touch of adamance,"No son, we are HEATING MEN."still rings in my ears.
A trade, a career, a profession, a calling, all feel more viable, more solid with the acknowledgment and comradery of like minds. Of others guided down that same road. Be that by familial guidance, a summer job, or a true calling. You have, in no small way lent us all that solidity, that viability Dan . And we, the trade, the calling are far, far better off for it . You make no mistake about it . We're all far better off for that long ago RIGHT decision of yourself and Marianne's. An eternal & heart felt THANKYOU ! from all HEATING MEN for every bit of your HEATING HELP ♥️ 🔥 ! !

EricBSTL

I had recently bought a nearly 100 year old home and had no idea about steam boilers. The thing stopped working and I was desperate to get it fixed. Well, it was cracked with the only option to replace it. Dan, I found your book in the public library in St. Louis in 1997. After grinding through various old technical works about steam heat, I was near giving up. Your book was funny, detailed, and yet easy to understand. It made the difference between me spending money that I didn't have on a new boiler, and being able to install a good used boiler on my own. Years later, long after returning that library book, I found your book online, and immediately ordered my own copy. I just wanted to say a big Thank You for writing "The Lost Art of Steam Heating."

Stet

Never forget the other family you have, the one you created, THIS FAMILY! I saw a quote I believe from Andy Rooney, "The best education you can get is sitting at the heels of your grandfather." How true that is. All of us in this family have sat at your heels, listening and wanting for more. Oh yes, you taught is a whole lot about steam and heating in general. But you also educated us on the love of family. You could see the excitement and affection you had for your lovely wife and children through that print. It blazed through like the bright morning sunshine piercing through the trees. I have dozens of your stories printed in my drawer. Close enough to reach when I am in need of a genuine smile. Do what you need to do, my friend. Just remember, you might "not" be retired, just tired. So for now, RELAX, enjoy the family love that surrounds you.
And if, by chance, you find yourself missing your other family (this one), we will be eagerly awaiting to sit at your heels once more. May God Bless! D. Stetson

RnAdms

Holohan, who do you think you are kidding? You are a writer; you will continue to write. Perhaps not with as many deadlines, but you will write... and when you do, I'll be here to read it.

artco

Thank you Dan for all the years of service you have given to us in the HVAC trade. You have helped thousands of Contractors, Technicians and all the customers who have benefited from your technical information to help resolve their HVAC problems. We are so sorry for your loss of your wife and thank her for her service at the same time, may she rest in peace with the Lord.

imnoplumber

WOW AND THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

breeze

I attended a seminar many, many years ago in Pittsburgh Dan and 'pumping away' is well worn and still in a service truck today. Thank you for sharing the stories of friends, family and work experiences. Enjoy the rest of your journey.

Don Brick

Thank you for your time and help. I learned a lot from your books and seminars. I learned how to be a better instructor from you and your books. I enjoyed your seminar when you came to Milwaukee. Thank you and enjoy your retirement. Their is nothing better than being retired and enjoying your family and friends.

Papi

Thank you Dan and wish you the best! I enjoy steam heat so much, and I would never have gotten interested if not for you.

Jack Bakker

Best wishes in your retirement, Dan!! I first met you in person at a trade talk in Mt Kisco, NY, and again at a Westchester Gas Heating Association meeting with my old boss Desi Swayne!! Thanks so much for sharing your extensive experiences and knowledge!!

SRD

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Issac Newton
As all these comments show, you will always be one of our giants.

johnlobb

Dan, thank you so much for your friendship with my Dad, Fremont Lobbestael. He often spoke of you to his friends and co workers. He really enjoyed your seminars, as I did. We both felt the best seminar was when you tried to have tradespeople think like salespeople, putting themselves in their customers shoes. It was truly brilliant! And on a trip with my wife to the Pacific northwest, we visited some of her relatives SE of Portland, OR that lived at the foot of Mt. Hood. Her cousins son ran the large ski resort on Mt. Hood called Timberline, constructed during the depression from '36-'37. I asked for a tour of the mechanical room, and as 2 of Marti's cousins were docents there, my wish was granted. They had a delightful kinda cobbled up hot water system and snow melt that did the job. They had not heard of you, so I insisted they purchase some of your books. We will always remember your expertise and kindness, Dan! And we hope you enjoy your golden years!

GilbertMarquez

I'm sitting here at my computer, a little verklempt, and so thankful and grateful I was in your audience. After we bought my parents' old Victorian with single-pipe steam, The Lost Art help me understand and appreciate what we had. Thank you for all of it.

Kevin_McCarthy

I understand.... Thank you for sharing yourself now and all these years.

sctronic

Wishing you the best in retirement. I’ve learned a ton from your books thanks so much.

bmcservice

Thank you for all that you have done to enrich the minds of this industry. Enjoy your Retirment!

Scott.Malo

Congratulations Dan! I just wanted to echo what everyone is saying here. I recall our meeting at The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen a few years back. I have a keen sense of personalities and it was clear to me that you had a passion for what you were doing and that passion was contagious. You were always gracious with your time and answered my emails when I needed some extra help. For that, I am eternally grateful. At the end of the day, family is what we do this for and I think it's wonderful you are going to create more time for that part of your life. On behalf of our entire company here at Tunstall, we appreciate you educating us all these years. We hope you have an amazing retirement and can find peace as you go forward. I like to think that Marianne will be with you every step of the way. Cheers!

Adk1guy

Dan, Your seminar in Saranac Lake, NY at the Hot Sara decades ago had a big impact. I modeled all my installations after it and re-taught the set up to every tech I trained. I am sorry to learn you lost your beloved Marianne. I had an old fuel driver who retired and came back twice, so we gave him 3 retirement parties, hopefully we may do the same with you.

Cheeze-Tech

Thanks for taking the time to talk to all those dead men! Thanks for teaching us what they knew and the things you discovered! Thanks for all the stories! Thanks for making Hydronics interesting and fun! I have recently taken on more of teaching/mentoring role and I find not just how much of what I teach came from you, but my style too. I want it to be interesting and even exciting. I want my techs to be able to picture things in their heads so they can see it and manipulate it, so they can use what I taught them in different applications. As you have with me, I hope to inspire them to view their work from a bigger perspective then pipes and fittings. Your presence will be missed, but you will still be with us through all you have taught. Enjoy your family. Hugh your grandkids for all of us!

Bigb

Dan, thank you for all the knowledge and entertainment you’ve provided since 1989 when I bought my first home in DC with steam heat. Thanks also to your community who have provided great insights over the years. Best wishes to you and your family. I hope heatinghelp.com continues in some form.

Grallert

farewell and thank you.

Royboy

Dan - being "mostly retired", I don't come to this site as often as I did in years past, but when I do, it's usually to check out another piece of your most excellent writing - or should I say, story-telling. this wonderful online resource and the knowledgable & generous community here have been such a tremendous gift to me as a primarily self-taught hydronic heating guy. there are so many appreciations I could offer and glad to see that others have already have expressed most of them. enjoy your kids, your grandkids, your reading, your memories, your retirement - all of it! wishing you many delights to come and thanks so very much for what you have created and shared with all of us!!

djd

Another touching story Dan. Thanks for everything you’ve shared. I am but a homeowner trying to learn my steam system and “so you got steam heat” and these forums have been my go to.

All the best in your retirement and with your growing family.

jhpyle

What you have accomplished in your career is really amazing. I remember when I wanted to understand my hot water heating system, I found a lot of great information on the internet and Amazon, and it took me a while before I realized that the same person - Dan Holohan - was behind all of it. As I was trying to understand my hot water system, I got sidetracked and spent lots of time understanding steam heating because your explanations and stories are so engaging and interesting. I am sad that you are retiring but I am grateful that you have created so much content, and there are still more books and posts that I can still read.

HeatherM

I've known for so long that you are a most gifted story teller. Thank you for the privilege and joy of working together to tell your amazing tales. It was indeed an honor. You have given so much to so many and we are forever in your debt. Peace to you. Heather McCune

Steamheatnovice

I’m not in the trade, just a regular homeowner who stumbled across a house with steam boiler. You can write all (I still) know about steam on the back of a stamp. Prior to reading your book I had many plumber stop by and none could resolve the banging and pin holes causing leaking pipes. One plumber recommended your book and literally it was a game changer. I replaced the terminal valve, vinegar cleaned other valves and not had banging for the last 4 yrs and a warm home to come back to. Thank you Mr Holohan for sharing your knowledge! Enjoy your retirement with your loved ones. I was sorry to hear of your loss, your wife sounds like an amazing woman and we thank her for selflessly sharing your time with us readers. I don’t come on the site often but when I did I always took note of what u wrote even if some of it was way above my head. Thanks for looking out for us regular homeowners….now can someone please clone Dans brain so we have his and the dead men’s knowledge forever? I don’t trust these AI bots just yet. All the best Mr Holohan!

Dennis1679

I went to many of your talks but we only talked once for an hour over some glass steam piping at a show in Massachusetts. You’ve been a part of my whole 40 year long care as a business owner and steam “expert”. But the expert was all you. Thanks for being so generous and open and helpful. You are one of a kind and I’m happy to say we are both retired now! Love you Dan.

fararelliott

Dang it! I hoped to see you speak someday. I'm a curator at the U.S. Capitol and have so many historical heating questions. If you're ever in this neck of the woods, give a holler. I promise to show you the basement.

Voyager

Best wishes in your retirement. I retired in 2015 and it was one of my best life decisions. Thankfully, I still have my wife of 41 years (I’m a few years younger than you, I think). I can’t imagine losing a spouse of 50 years. Enjoy your grandkids and maybe write a guest column now and then. It is good to keep the brain active and engaged. I jointed the board of directors of three small companies after I retired as a way to stay engaged, pass along some hard won wisdom and keep the brain at least a little active. All the best!

jep

Just a homeowner with a boiler from 1957 (hot water and not steam), who stumbled across this website some years ago. I love old houses and history and you helped me appreciate that marvel and magic of heating systems in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. When the "Thursday Postings" hit my inbox, they were the first to be open and read, even when i had my own work obligations to see to. You brought to life the heating systems in houses and provided such wonderful examples, so skillfully presented than even I could follow the presentation. How nice it would be if you could pass on this task to someone who might continue your traditions! Good luck and have fun in retirement!

TKSwanson

Dan, is it alright if I call you Dan? After all the years, hopefully we've progressed past the point where I call you Mr. Holohan, even though you certainly deserve the respect. I mean, I don't know of anyone else who pops into my office every Thursday morning to deliver a good bit of hard-earned wisdom. And you've been doing it for years! So much wisdom; so much knowledge; so much that will be missed. But truthfully, I don't know which has been more meaningful to me over the years: the deep dives into the inner workings of steam heat or the life lessons and the updates on yourself, TLM and your daughters. They've all been so memorable and have left their indelible mark on me and how I interact with others. I guess that's one of the joys of teaching, how you can see things get passed on down through the generations.

May your retirement be long, your time spent with family joyous, and may your memories of your wife keep you strong until that day you are together again. Hope to bump into you sometime out in Cape May or Northeast (where my wife's family is from) as I'd love to shake your hand and thank you in person for all the wonderful stories.

fullsteamahead

To a awesome man with a awesome family that wrote a awesome book THANKYOU DAN
anonymously owner of a1916 home with STEAM