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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 5, 2008 - 11:58am PT
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It is with much saddness that I report that Dan Leichtfuss, a longtime San Diego climber and friend to many, has passed away from unknown causes last week. More than being an awesome climber (He was mentioned in the "most ripped climber" post on supertopo), he was the most awesome dad to his family. He will be greatly missed by his friends, family, and the climbing community. He was in his mid-50's. We will carry on without Dan, and our lives are greater for having known this wonderful friend.
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bachar
Trad climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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This is really sad news. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Dan was truly a gentleman and all around great person. I know he will be missed by all those around him.
RIP brother, see you on the other side.
Peace to all, John
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BeeHay
Trad climber
San Diego CA
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That's rough Todd, especially a family guy, we're at that age now....
I remember the name, sure I met him at Woodson, but can't pull up a mental picture.
Photo?
Thanks for the post, Brad
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Wow.
Another example of a well adjusted, very fit guy going out early.
My condolences to family & friends.
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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sad, sad news.
here's a couple of pics of dan, from back in the woodson heyday -
henny, dan and eppi scopin' it out at "5.10a on the outside"
dan in action --
rest in peace, bro.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Dan was an energetic and strong climber, great parent and fine person. His positve energy, generosity, big smile and heartfelt laugh still resonate.
Thanks for posting the pictures Bob.
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Dan was a great guy, aside from being an excellent climber. God's speed sir.
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hashbro
Trad climber
Mental Physics........
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Wow, sad news about Dan. Dan was the cool pharmacist with steel fingers!
He and I used to boulder together at Hart Park in during my high schools days in Orange. Dan could grip like vice and was able to stay on that sparse wall for multiple (and futuristic) traverses.
It was great getting to hang out with he and his wife at the reunion. He will be missed, yet fondly remembered.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there todd and all....
say, sincere feelings of condolence and more, for the loss of your friend, and best wishes to his family for the ability to press-on and remember him while overcoming the sorrows of his early loss....
*thankfully he must have used each day to his fullest, as his passing was so early, as taken-note-of...
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m.
Trad climber
UT
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Dan Leichtfuss was a wonderful man- an inspiring climbing partner, a big-hearted friend, and a committed family man devoted to his wife, Lynne, and their four lovely children- Peter, Leah, Amy, and Seth ( aka "Lunchbox"). Dan fought off Non-Hodgkins lymphoma while I was managing Rock&Ice. We had a pullup bar in the shop, and he'd come over after every chemo session- sick as a dog and wasted by the one-two punch of his illness and its treatment- to crank off 30-50 pullups in a row. The man was unstoppable! His joie de vivre and inexhaustible enthusiasm- for hard routes, for his family, and for his many friends- motivated everyone. We will all miss you, Dan- but we won't forget you. In so many ways, you embodied the spirit of climbing itself.
maria.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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wow - really sad.
of course I knew Dan, man could he crank - holy cow.
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henny
Social climber
The Past
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Very, very sad news, indeed. Dan was a fine person, and a great climber. I remember talking and laughing with him at the reunion at KPs. Who could have known that he would be gone so soon. Much too soon.
Thanks for the pictures bvb.
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Ricardo Carlos
Trad climber
Off center, CO.
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Dan Leichtfuss
One of the guys who made the climbing seine in SD & So. Cal. so good to be part of.
Seems like yesterday we were all twenty something. RIP
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bachar
Trad climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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One afternoon we were hanging in Tuolumne Meadows store parking lot and me, Darryl Nakahira (sp?), Mike, Mari, and some others were looking for something to do (besides climbing). I was just getting into the martial arts and Darryl was going to show me some boxing moves. I pulled out my new boxing gloves and headgear. Dan was hanging out too. He casually asked what we were up too and I said we were going to practice some boxing over in the trees.
We all went over to a nice little grass clearing in the trees and Dan asked if he could spar a little too. I said sure. Me and him put our gloves and headgear on and started dancing around. I weighed 185 and was pretty buff, he was about 135 and a lot smaller than me but was super fit (as always). I figured he couldn't hurt me and had nothing to worry about.
Everybody was in a good mood and jiving around and stuff. Darryl was a Tae Kwon Do champ and he was just watching with a little smile on his face.
So, Dan started feigning a couple jabs to see how I moved. Then he kind of giggled and faked a left jab, ducked and stepped quickly to the right and up into me and threw a right hook onto my left chin. Next thing I knew, he was helping me up off the ground, asking if I was OK!
I didn't even know what happened until he showed me what he did. Everybody was laughing. I couldn't believe it. This little guy just put me on my back in about three seconds.
He smiled and whispered to himself, "Damn..I still got it"...
I gave up the gear to somebody else and stepped aside to let others goof around as well. Darryl then told me that Dan used to be a Golden Gloves boxing champ in college!
That explained the smile on Darryl's face earlier - he knew I was about to get schooled and was patiently awaiting the inevitable "lesson".
In three seconds, Dan taught me something that I still have not forgotten to this day (and still gives me a good laugh) - Size doesn't matter, technique does!
Dan was as gracious in victory as in defeat - the mark of a true master. Thanks for the lesson Dan, I will never forget your energy and great spirit.
-jb
Edit: Right after that, I always though Leichtfuss meant "Lightning Fist" in German for some reason...
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Sounds like a good climber and a good man, though I don't think we crossed paths.
Leichtfuss seems to mean light + feet = lightfeet. Which would be fitting for someone skilled in martial arts.
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Anastasia
Trad climber
California
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Sending my condolences to all his family and friends. It is never easy losing someone so young.
AF
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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I think I have some VCR recording of Dan and family in Joshua Tree made for "That's Incredible" show. I'll try and copy it to disc and post.
death sucks
edit- tried to record but it wouldn't take. If family wants a copy, I'm happy to go get a copy made. The show is mostly focused on the kids.
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WBraun
climber
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All glories to our fallen hero, Dan.
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dee ee
Mountain climber
citizen of planet Earth
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Jan 10, 2008 - 03:28pm PT
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I am so sorry to hear about Dan's death. It has brought back many memories of bouldering with he and others at Pirates' Cove in the 70's and 80's. What a strong dude he was!
It was great to see Dan and Lynn at the reunion, I can't believe he is gone.
My heartfelt condolence to Lynn and the kids.
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Jan 10, 2008 - 03:31pm PT
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Dan became an integral part of the core SD climbers and it was great to see him at KP's reunion! That was an awesome event, before that I hadn't seen Dan in quite some time.
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