I met Uncle Dan for the first time in 1997 at HRC Antwerp. I had heard a lot of him. He was the biggest HRC Pin Collector in the world. I was surprised that he right away talked to me, traded pins with me. I learned a lot from him. How to trade pins - but also about the most important thing in this hobby: PEOPLE.

During the years we became real friends - and traded a lot of pins. Some of my biggest gems in my collection are from Uncle Dan.

Uncle Dan always came over to Europe for the big pin collectors events we had - most of all for the PIN Marches. He helped us to organize the event with his wife Mary. And he made big donations for the events. Most of all he loved to talk to people, to trade for hours - and then to party :-)

I had the privilege to be invited to Uncle Dan's home in Simi Valley a few times. We even spend a few nights there and it was unbelievable how much HRC stuff he had. We used to browse through all the stuff for hours together.

To be in the CA Hard Rock Cafes was very special. He was treated like a God :-)

Uncle Dan died of a heart attack... and we all miss him. Uncle Dan, you were very important for our hobby. And I miss you and the evenings we had in Simi Valley in your home. May you trade pins in heaven now...