Gerald Rich ‘Skip’ Daynes

I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Skip when I was the President of The Salt Lake Men's Choir for 12 years, he was such a fine person! His generosity to our choir was exceptional! II remember at my regular job at Shriners Hospitals for Children, i was in desperate need for someone to tune our piano at the last minute, our regular guy was not available, I called Skip, he quickly responded and had our piano tuned within an hour of my call, in addition, it was gratis! The Salt Lake Arts community and the community at large will certainly miss him.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family Susan. I sorry for your loss of Skip. I know you understand
how I felt losing Tim. It leaves a huge hole in your heart but youalways have my love and friendship. I am always a phone call away.
Skip was a true gentleman. An outstanding man. He had a huge loving heart. And the two of you made a beautiful couple. Sixty years is a long time and a lot of memories.
Bless you Sus through this time. And I am here for you anytime. I value our friendship and I love you.
Bless you and may God be with you through this hard time.
Love
Cheri Simon

Daynes family, I was so saddened to hear about Skip's passing. Sending healing prayers to your family during this difficult time. May his memory be eternal.

We are saddened at this news but are overjoyed that we had the honor of interacting with Skip in this capacity. He was always so Kind and never complained about anything! We send our heart felt condolences at this time!

Susan and the Daynes family..my deepest condolences. I was so glad that Skip & I had the opportunity to go down memory lane recently at the Pulmonary rehab lab. Especially retelling my story of him allowing me at 14 to buy a quality Guild guitar for $350 in 1967. I had no money or credit but I rode my bike every week to give him the $12 I made playing at Bimbos pizza until I paid for it. I think he loved it when I brought in the guitar to shoe him I still had it 57 years later
RIP Skip!

Miss you dad

Knew Skip for many years while we were in The Steinway Piano business. He was gracious and a consummate gentlemen.
He was also a very very successful business man selling Steinway Pianos at a pace no other Steinway dealer could match based on the size and potential of the Salt Lake City market. Many fond memories of his accomplishments and Steinway Partnership Awards. Skip was a loyal and dedicated man. He will surely be missed. .

Slip was a star person in many ways and many contexts. I first became acquainted in about 1962 and have always admired him for a variety of reasons. He will be missed.

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of this great man and friend. We had many times fishing on Strawberry. From fish stories to stories of the times sheephearding. We were blessed to have him in our lives. Our deepest condolences to his family.

Deepest condolences to Susan and family!

My dear friend, Susan...
I am so very sorry to hear that you have lost the love of your life. Skep was an amazing man...and I know that you shared a lifetime of adventure and love.
Please know that I am thinking of you and your family with a heart full of love.
Kris Johnson

Reciban mi condolencias por la partida del hno Skyp Daynes, queda ahora recordar los buenos momentos en su vida terrenal, espero que Dios les dé mucha fortaleza por su partida.
Un abrazo a la familia Daynes.

Skip and Susan are wonderful friends and examples of living lives of service to others. If we could all follow in their footsteps the world would be a better place. I send my sincere condolences to the Daynes family and a salute to Skip. May he rest in peace.

Love ya Skip, keep a place for us, see ya soon.

Susan and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Skip was such a kind and gentle man, and still such a strong patriarch for his family. He will greatly missed by many people. I am so sorry I cannot be there for his service, I will not be in town. But my most heartfelt condolences to you all.

Michele Franks

Dear Susan and family,

On behalf of Intermountain Therapy Animals Board of Directors, we send our love and condolences to you. Skip was a class act, and one of the nicest men I’ve ever met and had the honor of knowing. We are so very appreciative of all the time Skip gave to ITA over the years. He was loved by all. May God grant you peace and strength in the coming days as you navigate without your beloved Skip. We are here for anything you may need. Much love and many prayers, Jane Fischer and ITA Board❤️

The void left by your absence will be filled with wonderful memories of early mornings in the mountains elk hunting, or catching a huge kokanee at Strawberry Reservoir. You shared your love of classical music with me, and I cherish the spiritual conversations and the good laughs we had together. Your talent for making the best sloppy joe after a long day at the lake, or grilling your favorite hamburgers, was unmatched. Your laughter at silly movies was truly contagious. Skip, I will always remember you with fond memories.

Daynes family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am deeply grateful for Skip's enormous generosity and help to me personally throughout the years, as well as his support for the musical community throughout Utah. He was instrumental in me becoming a Steinway artist and the University of Utah a Steinway school. I will be forever grateful to him. My deepest condolences to you all.

Skip was so kind and thoughtful to work with. He and Susan donated piano’s to the University of Utah Kahlert Village, University Hospital and were incredible long-time supporters for over 50-years of the U’s School of Music. Skip’s leadership along with Bruce Bastian’s visionary philanthropy, propelled the school to be one of the first All Steinway Schools. It’s so sad that both he and Bruce passed away this summer.

I just love this video from the 2018 Founder’s Day Award when he was honored as a Distinguished Alumni at the U.
https://youtu.be/NnDxzLbN_W0?si=kNsNVOCEWfJ8Co2Y

He also was so kind to work with connecting people to therapy dogs. My condolences to Susan and the family.

It was my honor to be a member of the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City with Skip for the last 38 years. He was a wonderful example living the Rotary's motto, Service above Self. He was passionate about Rotary and wanted others to join in this great movement. With his leadership, the Club grew to over 500 members. Skip also arranged for countless numbers of artists and groups to provide musical performances at Rotary meetings and activities. All of us have been lifted knowing this humble man of passion and commitment. May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you, Susan, and your entire family.

Susan and Family,

We were so terribly sad to hear the news of Skip's passing. He was a prince of a man and always so kind and gracious to our family. The music which perpetually filled our home was thanks to the beautiful Steinway pianos Skip helped to provide my mom and siblings. I'll never forget the great times we had together whether it was providing Steinway pianos for Snow College, Southern Utah University, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Steinway in New York City, or when he and Kerwin personally drove our Steinway D piano east to Richmond, Kentucky. That was one of the kindest gestures I've ever seen. Three years ago, Skip even recommended a company to get our piano out here to South Carolina. Not a day goes by that I don't think of Skip when I see that beautiful instrument in our home. No one advocated for the arts more forcefully and powerfully than Skip did. Most importantly, he cherished his family and faith and lived a life which provided a powerful example of commitment and compassion. We love you, Skip, and will miss you terribly.

Skip and I are about two weeks apart in age. We went through East High, missions, U of U together and for the last forty or so years have worked together in the Daynes Family Organization. I treasure my memories of Skip and am grateful for our service together. Thank you for the zoom funeral service that saved this aging San Diego cousin the travel. I love Skip and pray the blessings of the Lord upon his family.

So sorry to you and your family, Susan. i hate to use a trite expression, but he really was a pillar of the community. So sorry i missed the funeral. i was in Arizona playing a piano tribute to my sweet 64 year old cousin who died of melanoma. Although an expected part of life, death is so difficult

Last week we said good bye to our friend Skip Daynes. Skip Daynes befriended Excellence in the Community in our early days. Our first meeting was in 2011, in his office. He sat at his desk and showed me the concertina his pioneer ancestor had played during the long journey across the plains, prairies and mountains to Utah. He told me of his family’s role in the establishment of the Choir on Temple Square. He told me about his family’s involvement with the Utah Symphony, and the music department of the University of Utah. He told me about his work with area schools, and his efforts to promote piano instruction as a means to fostering mental development, and in improving academic outcomes in many areas.

It was a bracing conversation. He understood and endorsed our objectives. He and his wonderful staff immediately set to work helping Excellence in any way possible. From that first meeting on, he made sure a Steinway piano was a signature part of our concerts. How proud we were and are to be able to work with Daynes Music and provide as a key element of our concerts, quality pianos for Utah pianists, and for Utah audiences. We see the pianists smile as they play the Steinways provided by Daynes Music. It is a rare privilege to have access to instruments of this quality.

That was more than a 1000 concerts ago. In everything we discussed and worked on, he was true to his word. When we discussed a plan or a project, it unfolded as we had discussed it.

The interesting point here, is that Excellence’s experience with Skip and his involvement with us, would be echoed by innumerable musicians and arts organizations in Utah. His support for quality music and for Utah musicians was constant, heart felt, and enthusiastic. He was persistent and articulate, even courageous, in advocating the importance of music and music education in all of his contacts, professional and personal.

What many may not know, is that Skip grew up as a ranch hand, skilled with horses, dogs, familiar with the great outdoors, the night sky, the ranching life, and the work of cowboys. He remained a cowboy at heart. This combination of high art and high country brought a unique balance and texture to his life. He also devoted considerable time and energy to the care and training of service dogs, trained specifically to bring comfort and a spark of joy to those facing difficulty in hospital rooms. He recounted many stories about these dogs, their impact on patients, and his love for them, and their work. In fact the dogs were often present at our meetings.

The true assessment of a life is the space or impact that life has carved out in the hearts of others. The fundamental memorial of those who pass away, is what has changed for good in the heart of the living.

The Excellence team joins me in extending our condolences to his wife Susan, and to his family. In this case certainly grief will be tempered by the memories of the good that Skip Daynes has brought to others, especially to pianists, and those who love music.

A few lines from the poet Steven Spender are appropriate today.

“I think continually of those who were truly great . . .
who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s centre.
Born of the sun, they travelled a short while toward the sun
And left the vivid air signed with their honour.”
Sent from my iPad

I just want to express my condolences. I admired Skip so much. He had a big impact on my life. I have so many sweet memories when our Opera costume shop was next door. He was so kind. I wish all of you peace and comfort. He will be missed by so many.

I have been trying to find the right words to explain Skip's influence in my life. It was through him and Susan that I was able to come to this country. It was through their love and welcoming spirit that I felt part of their family.
I will miss Skip, he was my second father. I still remember those fun moments fishing at Strawberry lake, or moving heavy pianos in Idaho, or his words of advice trying to guide a somewhat difficult teenager. His love and generosity will never be forgotten.
I wouldn't be who I am today without Skip Daynes.

Skip and I served in the Asunción, Paraguay Branch at the same time in 1959. We were part of the. Uruguayan mission.
I am sorry to read of his passing in the Deseret News.
My condolences to all his family.

Skip has been such a central figure in promoting and supporting the arts in Utah—what a legacy he leaves behind, and how much the poorer are we who remain! On a personal level, Skip was always so encouraging to me. I am forever grateful.

The most influential person I met on a trip to Japan was Skip Daynes, a tall quiet soft spoken man that knew everything piano and life. My wife and I, spent time with Skip and Suzan and befriended them with such ease. Always available for advice in and about the business. We think about Skip every time we mention Utah in conversation. Skip in SLC, just the best. Honerable
fine gentleman, is now in heaven!