Daniel Edward Lassanske

Daniel “Dan” Lassanske passed away peacefully to be with his Lord on October 22, 2018. Despite our sadness of his passing we rejoice in the fact that he is in heaven. Born January 7, 1945 in Lanesville, Indiana to Vivian and Roland Lassanske, Daniel spent his formative years in Harlingen Texas. His family later moved to Southern California where his pastimes included fishing, tennis, basketball, and performing in several singing groups. Dan graduated from Lutheran High School in Los Angeles. Dan attended Pierce College where he first became interested in plant science. As a young adult he worked at several nurseries and even built his own greenhouse. Dan was drafted into the Army and was stationed near El Paso, Texas. Upon his discharge, Dan continued his college education, earning BS and MS Degrees in Agriculture from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California. After graduation he became a high school teacher in Poway, California. A few year later, he accepted a position as a Professor in the Horticulture Department at Cal Poly. Dan’s enthusiasm for plants earned him the nickname, “The Heart of the Hort.” He excelled in helping students seek a variety of career paths in agriculture. His enthusiastic coaching and expert advice produced award winning landscape teams, innovative enterprises, beautifully choreographed Poly Royal presentations, and earned him countless industry awards and recognitions. Dan was not only a devoted teacher but also a life-long mentor and friend to agriculture teachers and the FFA organization all over California. Hundreds of local gardeners have attended Dan’s pruning workshops and have benefitted from his knowledge of succulent plants. Throughout his entire life Dan amassed one of the largest and most comprehensive spinning top collections in the world. He eagerly shared his enthusiasm for tops with students, young children and the young at heart. Dan was a faithful church member. He enjoyed teaching Sunday School classes and was an active member of his church choir and Worship Team. Dan is survived by his two daughters, Paula Bennett (Jeffrey) and Mary Lassanske and five grandchildren; Julia and Corbin Deadwiley and Madelynn, Owen, and Nathan Bennett. Dan will be especially missed by his surviving siblings; David, James, and Dawn as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 10th at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Paso Robles, California at 1645 Park Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dan’s name to the Lassanske Family Endowment care of Agricultural Education & Communication, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 or gifts can be made online at https://giving.calpoly.edu (Please specify the Lassanske Family Endowment).

Daniel Edward Lassanske

January 7, 1945 - October 22, 2018