Formerly of Ann Arbor, Michigan, age 90 passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Chelsea, Michigan. He was born on April 7, 1931, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Russell and Hildreth Daane. Dick grew up and attended high school in Plymouth, Michigan and after graduating in 1948 he went on to attend the University of Michigan where he received a B.A. in English Literature in 1953 and a law degree in 1955.He had a distinguished career in the law. Dick was in private practice in Detroit, Michigan where he also served as Dutch Consul. As Dutch Consul he received a civilian award for chivalry, the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1971. Dick eventually accepted the position of general counsel at the University of Michigan, a position he held for seventeen (17) years. Perhaps his greatest achievement during his tenure as general counsel was his appearance and argument before the United States Supreme Court in the case of Regents of the University of Michigan, Petitioner v. Scott E. Ewing where he won a unanimous decision. As a university attorney Dick was a member of the NACUA, a national association of college and university attorneys. He was elected president of the association in 1984.
Dick was an avid outdoorsman, a life-long love that he passed along to his sons. Dick bow hunted with Fred Bear before bow hunting became fashionable. He fly fished for both fresh and saltwater species on four separate continents. Dick owned a series of very good bird dogs with whom he chased grouse and woodcock with his best friend of thirty (30) years, Judge George Alexander. Because of his outdoor interests Dick was also an environmentalist. He was on the board of the Anglers of the Au Sable, an organization whose mission is to protect the Au Sable River system. In 1995, Dick received the organization’s prestigious River Keeper’s Award for his pro bono representation of an environmental trust in litigation opposing drilling in the Pigeon River watershed. He was also elected to the Angler’s Hall of Fame.
On February 2, 1951, he married Mary Ann Pryor and she survives. It was a seventy (70) year marriage full of love and mutual respect. Other survivors include two sons, Mark (Vicki) Daane, Tom (Melinda Menke) Daane; two daughters, Jennifer (Mark) Phillips, and Alison Daane. He also survived by five grandchildren and three great-children.
Details about a public memorial service are pending at this time. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Anglers of the Au Sable, P.O. Box 200, Grayling, Michigan, 49738.
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