Dana Pennington passed away peacefully at Renown Medical Center with his family at his side on June 6, 2011. A proud native Nevadan, Dana was born in Ely on April 15, 1946, to Helga (Beck) and Robert Pennington. Dana attended schools in Ruth until the family moved to Reno in 1956. In Reno, he attended Central Junior High School and graduated from Reno High School in 1964.
Dana served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War as a Seabee and was stationed in Phu Bai, Vietnam, Kodiak, Alaska, and Beeville, Texas. Returning from his tour of duty, Dana enrolled in the University of Nevada and earned a degree in Natural Resources. After graduation, he went to work for the State of Nevada in the Health Division in 1977. He later moved to the Environmental Protection Division. At both state agencies, he was an environmental scientist administering the Safe Drinking Water Act. His professional legacy is the safe and clean water found throughout the state. Dana also served on the Nevada Wildlife Board of Directors. He retired from state service in 2007.
Dana married his high school sweetheart, Mary Samon, on September 25, 1970. Together they raised three children: Michael, Elizabeth and Andrew. Family was the most important thing in the world to him and he participated in numerous events with his children including Little League, Indian Guides, Bobby Sox and AYSO. In recent years, nothing made him happier than spending time with his grandchildren: Aiden and MaijaLiisa Hefner.
An avid outdoorsman, Dana enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, motorcycles and horseback riding. For many years, he would participate in the annual reenactment of the Pony Express, riding his horse through central Nevada. He also enjoyed sports and with Mary was a big supporter of the University of Nevada athletic program. They regularly attended Wolf Pack football, basketball and baseball games. Throughout his life, Dana was on a quest to find Big Foot and spent many enjoyable hiking trips looking for the elusive beast.
Dana loved Nevada and enjoyed traveling throughout the state. He had friends in most of Nevada's cities and small towns. He had a preference for all things Nevada.
Dana is survived by his wife Mary, brothers Knute and Robert "Nyle" Pennington, sons Michael and Andrew, daughter Elizabeth and her husband Martin Hefner, grandchildren Aiden and MaijaLiisa, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Dana was loved by all who knew him and he will be tremendously missed.
A celebration of Dana's life will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday June 13, 2011, at FitzHenry's Funeral Home, 3945 Fairview Drive, Carson City, followed by a barbecue reception at Mills Park near the Carson & Mills Park Railroad. The entrance is located on Saliman Street one-eighth mile south of Highway 50 in Carson City. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Nevada Wilderness Project.
