Daniel Orth Obituary

Daniel A Orth III
Born: December 7, 1937
Died: November 25, 2023 in Bannockburn, IL
Daniel "Dan" A Orth III, age 85, of Bannockburn, born December 7, 1937, son to the late Marion and Daniel A. Orth Jr., formerly of Wheaton, Illinois, found peace while surrounded by his family on November 25, 2023. Beloved husband of 56 years to Nancy; cherished father to Deborah Marion, Daniel IV (Jessica), and Andrew (Shana); adoring grandfather of Charles Eipert, Tuckerman, Kaylee, and Simone; dear brother of the late Marion (to the late Gerald) Lane and the late Barbara (Robert) Sylvester; loving uncle to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces, and great grandnephews; respected friend and father figure to many; proud veteran; honored professional; dedicated volunteer; and known for his identifiable robust laugh.
Upon graduating from Wheaton High School in 1955, Dan served four years of active duty in the United States Navy. He attended Marquette University earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1963, subsequently earning his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University in 1966. During this time, he met Nancy Jean Marion whom he married on August 26, 1967.
Dan had a lengthy and rewarding career in the insurance industry starting at Washington National Insurance Company in Evanston where he served as in-house legal counsel for 27 years. During his tenure, Dan engaged in many guaranty association activities, leading to what became his "dream retirement job" as the Executive Director of the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association for the final 20 years of his career. He traveled across the country participating in many task forces at the national level, becoming a recognized expert in the protection of policyholders. His retirement in 2013 was celebrated by wonderful colleagues he valued as friends.
In 1977, Dan fell in love with Bannockburn because having a barn in the backyard reminded him of the country setting and horses of his childhood home. He shared his love of horses and ponies with his children. The family was often seen trotting through the village in a sulky cart pulled by their pony, Rusty, or on horseback headed to an open field. An active member of the community, Dan participated in many ways, including being elected to the Bannockburn School Board and the Village Board. One of his proudest contributions was being involved in the development of the Open Space and its Shelter, enjoyed by so many in the Bannockburn community.
Dan delighted in his favorite pastimes most when he could share them with family and friends. For 40 years, he sailed Lake Michigan on Auriga, a Dolphin sailboat, he owned with his partners, out of Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in Wilmette Harbor. He often reminisced about his memorable fishing trips to Canada. His travels for both business and pleasure brought him to all 50 states and to many memorable destinations across the world.
Considered a pillar of his community, friends, and profession, Dan will be profoundly missed by so many, but none more than his loving and devoted family.
Funeral Mass December 18, 2023, at 10:30 am, at Old St. Patrick Church, 991 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL. Final resting place All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to a charity of your choice or to Misericordia Home, where Dan's niece, Kate, has been a resident for over 50 years, (6300 N. Ridge Ave, Chicago, IL, 60660). Please reference "Kate Sylvester - 2241" in your contribution.