Our dad Dr. Daniel Warren McAllister, 71, of Henderson, NV, passed away November 14, 2020 surrounded by his family due to complications from shoulder replacement surgery.
Born the 3rd of 10 children in Salt Lake City, he graduated from Highland High & received his Bachelors in Accounting and Master in Finance from University of Utah and his PhD in Business Management from the University of Washington.
Dad is survived by his adoring wife Wendy Hunter McAllister; his 4 loving children Michelle Fleur de Lys (Morgan), David (Rachelle), Jenny Grant (Chris), and Michael; and his 7 grandchildren- Sammi, Joey, James, Zachary, Jaxson, Cassie, and Danny, who are going to miss how their beloved Papa doted on them. He is also survived by his brother David and his sisters Susan (Jorge), Jami (Ernie), Ann (John), Julie (Craig), Joni (Rex), Lorie, and Lynne (Tony). He is going to meet his parents Warren Bennion and Maxine Burton McAllister and his sister Diane.
Dad was a deeply spiritual man (Bishop in the LDS Church) who was completely devoted to his family. He was kind, thoughtful, and generous- from the stranger on the street, to the students in his classes, to the many people whose lives he touched every day. He loved to travel and never passed up a good pun.
Our dad has accomplished many things in his life- far too many to be able to list. Most important to him- he cherished our Mom. He positively influenced the lives of 1,000s of his students in his UNLV Business and Honors and Continuing Ed classes- he always said he would teach until the day he died, and he did. His efforts made him a Master Teacher, earning him the UNLV Distinguished Teaching Award 4 times, the College Distinguished Teaching Award 4 times, the department Teacher of the Year Award 9 times, LBS Master Teacher Award, and his own McAllister Day from the City of Las Vegas as well as receiving numerous other awards. In the history of UNLV, he’s the only faculty member to have received Teacher of the Year honors in 3 different colleges (Business School, Honors College, College of Extended Studies).
Dad, it’s going to be hard until we’re able to see you again. As our Patriarch, you loved organizing things for us & made it so we could have 100s of family trips & other memories that will stay with us until we meet again, which we will. We love you. We know that you have heard the words from our Savior, “Well done, Thou good and faithful servant.”
In lieu of flowers, my family requests that donations be made to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You may do so by going to philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org and selecting the “In Memory of” option.
Viewing & Graveside Services will be in Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be on December 5th at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a Zoom option https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83440639801?pwd=TzI5VDhQT2ZvbHhQNWg2SnFBUU1Mdz09 or https://bit.ly/DOCTORDAN Password is 1234. If joining by phone, call +1(669) 900-6833 or (888) 788-0099 and use Meeting ID: 834 4063 9801
A memorial will be held for our dad’s colleagues and students and anyone else who was unable to attend the funeral when COVID allows it, hopefully in April.
Friends and family wishing to share a personal memory or offer condolences to the family, a Memorial Tribute Page in our dad’s honor is available at www.larkinmortuary.com or at our family’s Facebook tribute page https://www.facebook.com/groups/889261221880677
It is hard to imagine this world without Dan. I am one of the thousands of students whose lives he touched. I'll even miss his corny humor. His devotion to his family came only after his faith in his Lord and Savior. Heaven has gained a great missionary. Earth has lost a great leader and friend. May his family be consoled by knowing that they will be reunited.
Wendy and family, so sorry for your loss.
Dr. McAllister was a funny guy who the whole class loved. I had him last semester (Spring 2020). Management wasn’t an interesting subject for me but I went to every class because Dr. Dan made it fun. He shared life stories, he made jokes, he interacted with students. He wouldn’t recognize me nor my name (as is with 150+ person classes), but I have fond memories of him. Extremely fair and easy going guy as a professor. My favorite/funniest memory of him is when he got a call during class, pulled out his phone, and said out loud: it’s not my wife so I’m not going to answer. The whole class laughed then started clapping. Rip to a great guy and I hope you guys are doing okay.
Dear McAllister family,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I just found out the news and I am very saddened. I was fortunate enough to be in Dr. Dan’s Motivation and Leadership class in Spring of 2020. At that time I was going through a difficult time and Dr. Dan lended his ear and allowed me the simple human kindness of listening to me and providing space for me to cry. That sweet gesture of compassion, will live on with me forever, because at a time when I felt alone he showed me there was in fact, a human being who cared. In our last email exchange we was doing another favor for me with a letter of recommendation. We exchanged kind words and I told him while one door didn’t open, God had a plan. And that He does.
Thank you so much for sharing your father and husband with us. He loved you all so deeply, he mentioned you all in every class; especially Wendy. Wendy, he spoke of you like you put the sun and the stars in the sky.
Thank you Dr. Dan for allowing me to feel at home my last semester of college. It was such a privilege knowing you and learning from you.
I am praying for you all and sending you love.
Warmly,
Alexa Martin Del Campo
Dr. McAllister was an important influence in my life. I am grateful I was his student. I often share the story of how he took the time to help me discover my life's purpose. His volunteer requirement in our organizational behavioral class lead me to eventually become a foster and then adoptive parent with my husband. Dr. McAllister was on my thesis committee. I know that I am not unique. Dr. McAllister helped many, which I am sure anyone reading this already knows. I wanted to share a few of my experiences and express my condolences. I feel super fortunate to have known Dr. McAllister and to have benefitted from his magnificent teaching and mentoring at UNLV.
