Dan Marinkovich (1926-2020)
Dan Marinkovich was born April 1, 1926 and lived a long and full life until his passing on December 11, 2020 in Missoula, Montana. Dan taught driver education to teens and college students in Miles City, and teens in Anaconda and Philipsburg. He entered the profession in the 1960s, retiring in 2008, but that didn't end his cherished identity as a Traffic Educator. He kept his Montana educator license and his approval to teach traffic education active, because he so valued the profession and his role in it. In fact, Dan was MTEA's first president in 1967 (and elected again in 1999) and attended almost every MTEA conference since 1976, the year of the first MTEA conference.
Dan's dedication to teaching was wide and varied: he held endorsements in History, Health Enhancement, School Counselor, and Traffic Education. He was a longtime teacher, but also served as principal and superintendent in Anaconda. He also played basketball while a student at the University of Montana and found the time to coach basketball at Custer County High School and Miles City Community (see below how the Hoop Historians documented this part of his life).
Dan brightened the day of all who met him, listened to his stories, and were made to feel special and appreciated by his cheerful and friendly nature. He will be missed, but fondly remembered for his gentle leadership and his desire to keep learning new things.
Remembering Dan Marinkovich
By Fran Penner-Ray, Traffic Education Director (2003-2019)
Dan Marinkovich was the first MTEA president and one of the MTEA founders in 1967. He set a fine example of leadership, inclusion and lifelong learning. He attended most of the Spring MTEA conferences even after he retired and spent his winters golfing in Texas. He could be found taking notes in the front row of presentations in Montana and at the Pacific NW traffic education conference. He cheerfully participated in the 2016 Google Workshop in Billings when he was age 90. He showed me his Montana craft brewery passport and I know he shared Pendleton whisky and Sweet Palace chocolate turtles with friends. Dan found connections across the state with his memory of names, places, and stories. He helped me feel part of the team and shared his insight on dealing with complex issues and problems. He was an honorable man with a generous spirit and kind heart. (January 9, 2021)
From the Hoop Historians website:
A four-year basketball player at the University of Montana from 1946 to 1950, Marinkovich coached basketball at Custer County High School and Miles Community College for 20 years. Dan was a 36-year member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and attended his first Final Four in 1951. After coaching, Marinkovich was Superintendent of the Anaconda School District for ten years. He was a loyal supporter of his collegiate alma mater, the Grizzlies, and helped raised three million dollars in funding over a three-month period. Dan was also inducted into the Montana Officials Association Hall of Fame.
Dan's dedication to teaching was wide and varied: he held endorsements in History, Health Enhancement, School Counselor, and Traffic Education. He was a longtime teacher, but also served as principal and superintendent in Anaconda. He also played basketball while a student at the University of Montana and found the time to coach basketball at Custer County High School and Miles City Community (see below how the Hoop Historians documented this part of his life).
Dan brightened the day of all who met him, listened to his stories, and were made to feel special and appreciated by his cheerful and friendly nature. He will be missed, but fondly remembered for his gentle leadership and his desire to keep learning new things.
Remembering Dan Marinkovich
By Fran Penner-Ray, Traffic Education Director (2003-2019)
Dan Marinkovich was the first MTEA president and one of the MTEA founders in 1967. He set a fine example of leadership, inclusion and lifelong learning. He attended most of the Spring MTEA conferences even after he retired and spent his winters golfing in Texas. He could be found taking notes in the front row of presentations in Montana and at the Pacific NW traffic education conference. He cheerfully participated in the 2016 Google Workshop in Billings when he was age 90. He showed me his Montana craft brewery passport and I know he shared Pendleton whisky and Sweet Palace chocolate turtles with friends. Dan found connections across the state with his memory of names, places, and stories. He helped me feel part of the team and shared his insight on dealing with complex issues and problems. He was an honorable man with a generous spirit and kind heart. (January 9, 2021)
From the Hoop Historians website:
A four-year basketball player at the University of Montana from 1946 to 1950, Marinkovich coached basketball at Custer County High School and Miles Community College for 20 years. Dan was a 36-year member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and attended his first Final Four in 1951. After coaching, Marinkovich was Superintendent of the Anaconda School District for ten years. He was a loyal supporter of his collegiate alma mater, the Grizzlies, and helped raised three million dollars in funding over a three-month period. Dan was also inducted into the Montana Officials Association Hall of Fame.
