Daniel Ramon Waldschmidt Jr.
October 24, 1974 - June 24, 2025
Bradenton, Florida - Daniel Ramon Waldschmidt Jr., of Bradenton, Florida died on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He was 50 years young.
Dan was born October 24, 1974, in Cape May, New Jersey to his parents Daniel R. Waldschmidt and Nora Lynn Barry, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, currently Dayton, Ohio. With his father in the Coast Guard, Dan and his family lived in many states including Florida, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. He graduated with the class of 1993 from Anchor Bay High School in Anchor Bay, Michigan. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. When it came to sports and games, Dan excelled in pretty much everything he pursued, including high school wrestling, baseball and football, and recreational softball throughout his adult life, where he made tons of lifelong friends. He was an exceptional swimmer and enjoyed being a lifeguard in his younger years. A lifelong golfer and bowler; he made the Hometown Heroics - Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame for bowling a perfect 300 game in a sanctioned league in Belleville, IL in 1997.
Dan met his wife of 24 years, Valerie C. Winter, in Urbana, Illinois in 1997. They were married at sunset on the sands of Fort Walton Beach, Florida on July 3, 2000, witnessed by their immediate family and friends. In marriage, Dan gained a son, Nathan A. Crowley, age 29, of Mahomet, Illinois. In 2001, Dan, Valerie, and Nathan moved to Normal, Illinois where Dan began working for State Farm Mutual Insurance Company. He remained with the company for 23 years. In 2002, Dan and Valerie welcomed a son, Jacob A. Waldschmidt, age 23. In 2011, the family moved to Bradenton, Florida.
Many people who knew Dan described him as an inspiration who would always lend an ear or lend a hand to someone in need. A friend to all, he was quick to laugh, kind-hearted, fun-loving and hardworking. Having fun and "going with the flow" were important to him. Live music shows, dancing, trivia and games, karaoke, board games, theme parks and thrill rides, fishing trips, kayaking the mangroves, sitting on the beach, guys' trips to Vegas, and ski trips with his wife and sons are among the many things he enjoyed. He dreamed of visiting Ireland to explore his Irish heritage. He served one year in the Air Force in Minott, North Dakota.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 24 years, Val; his sons, Nate and Jake; his cherished dogs, Sammy and Tony; his parents, Dan and Nora; brother Andy, sister-in-law Bonnie, nieces Rachel and Helana and many loving relatives and friends.
Gone too soon, "just passing through", Dan will be loved and forever cherished by those who knew him.
No physical service is being held but that does not diminish our celebration of his life. Should friends or family desire, memorial offerings may be made to one of these causes in your community to celebrate Dan's loving and generous spirit:
-Your local food bank.
-Your local animal shelter.
-Your local agency for child welfare.
