Danny Dean Froelich, 55, of Mesa, Arizona, gained his angel’s wings on Monday morning, December 20, 2021. He is survived by his mother, Florence “Flo” (Bash) Froelich of Newcomerstown, and his sister, Deana Froelich of Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father, Danny Froelich, his paternal grandparents Ruth (“Pat” Patterson) and Bill Medley, maternal grandparents Ralph Bash, Peggy (Hutzel) Cunningham and step-grandfather Bill Cunningham, and his dear friend of 25 years, Amy Buchman of Scottsdale, Arizona (who unexpectedly passed just weeks ago).
Dan was born in Coshocton, Ohio, on January 30, 1966, and graduated from Newcomerstown High School, Class of 1984. He went on to attend Kent State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. In 1991, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he worked as a Software Engineer/Consultant. During a stint working on Y2K programming for Universal Studios in Burbank, California, Jay Leno of “The Tonight Show” came knocking on his door and Dan participated in a laugh-out-loud “Saturday Night Fever” spoof coached by Deney Terrio.
Fondly known as “Danny Dean Jelly-Bean,” “Digger Dan,” and “The Quiet Assassin” (a euchre reference), Dan participated in several hobbies: He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Scottsdale, Arizona Jaycees, Singles in Gilbert Meetup Group, and the East Valley Euchre/Spades Meetup Group where he was considered an avid and respected player liked by all who played with him and against him. He was also a huge fan of Ohio State football, spending his fall Saturdays rooting for the Buckeyes with friends at his favorite OSU sports bar, Buffalo Wild Wings of Gilbert. He loved living in Arizona and often used the catchphrase “but it’s a dry heat!”
An amazing photographer, Dan was also an outdoor enthusiast, taking striking photos of his hiking adventures in Arizona and Utah and travels around the world, including Australia, Belize, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Scotland.
With an exceedingly positive nature, despite life’s tribulations, and a sweet, gentle soul, Dan was always thinking of others before himself and will be sorely missed by his many devoted friends and family. Special thanks to childhood friends Steve Dulaney and Kevin Scarbrough and Arizona friends Susan and Shayne Gillin, Mike King, and Ken Feeney for their undying support of Dan and his family during this most difficult time.
A local service for his Arizona friends and loved ones will be held at Red Mountain Funeral Home, 456 N. Mesa Drive, Mesa, Arizona, on Thursday, December 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Thereafter, Dan will be returned to his hometown of Newcomerstown, Ohio, for a funeral service and burial on Tuesday, December 28.