Daniel (Dan) Stephen Beerman

Daniel Stephen Beerman

On November 30, 2025, in Santa Cruz, California, Daniel Stephen Beerman, 63, passed away peacefully with his wife Tami by his side.

Dan was born May 5, 1962, in Northridge, California to Thomas Beerman Jr. and Pauline Beerman. Along with his two older brothers, Gary and Kelly, the family moved to Washington state in 1967.

Establishing his love of the outdoors early, Dan grew up playing in and around the creeks and forests in Newport Shores, in Bellevue, Washington, outside of Seattle. Dan graduated from Newport High School in 1980 and in 1984 he earned his bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.

Interested in television and video production, Dan started working for KING Broadcasting in Seattle and in 1985 transferred to California to film and produce videos for KING-TV’s local affiliate in Lake Elsinore, California. After a few years and having a strong wanderlust, Dan returned to Seattle and soon began planning a trip to Asia with his best friend Mark. The summer of 1990 they ended up traveling with their backpacks to Japan, China, and Thailand. They stayed in hostels, sometimes beautiful temples, or wherever they could, with Dan even traveling on to India.

After this life-changing trip, Dan decided he wanted to go back once again to school. Always an environmentalist at heart and inspired by producing a water resources video, Dan pursued a master’s in environmental studies. Connecting with a good friend from college who had a place in California he again moved back there. This landed him in Santa Cruz, California, where he eventually met his wife Tami in 1992.

Dan and Tami hit it off immediately with their shared love of nature and many common interests. Whether it was music, good food, cars, or adventure, Dan had found his partner in “fun” and best friend. They particularly enjoyed camping, heading out almost every weekend when they first met, traveling around, exploring every opportunity they could.

Dan and Tami married in the Virgin Islands and then settled in Aptos, California. They welcomed their daughter Kaylie in 2000. Continuing their camping tradition with her, on a trip to the forests and mountains every year.

Dan’s career through the years combined his background in environmental studies, public relations, and even his television video production talents. Working for the Santa Clara Water District, South Bay Water Recycling as a consultant, the City of San Jose Environmental Services, the City of Santa Clara as Public Communications Manager, and finally as a Management Analyst in Santa Clara’s Water Department. Dan was loved by staff and for many years the “face of the city” in hosting and producing public service spots and news briefs on the city’s community television channel.

Dan was known for his very friendly, witty, and fun personality. Often the “funniest guy in the room,” he had a natural ability to make people smile or laugh from a little quip to full on voice impressions. He had a love of travel, good food, good beer, BBQing, camping, backpacking, biking, skiing, sailing, cars, music, nature, the ocean, and so much more. He was always open to enjoying and experiencing new things with his youthful spirit.

While Dan had always planned to travel more in retirement, he never got to realize the dream. Devastatingly, Dan was diagnosed in his early 50’s with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. His wife and daughter cared for him and the family navigated this dark disease, along with him, for nearly a decade.

Miraculously Dan was still able to hang on to his sense of humor, smiling with Tami at some of their inside jokes till the end.

He is preceded in death by both his parents Thomas and Pauline Beerman.

Dan leaves his wife Tami, his daughter Kaylie, brother Gary (Suzi), nephew Alec, brother Kelly (Sharon), his father and mother in law Don and Robin and his dog Kaya.

There will be a private ceremony with close family at a later date.

Dan’s body was donated to science.

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree.