Daniel Leo Zurn

Daniel (Dan) Leo Zurn
January 17, 1943 – June 23, 2025

Daniel Leo Zurn was born on January 17, 1943 to Bertha and Floyd Zurn in Benson, Minnesota. Dan passed away unexpectedly on June 23, 2025 at Riverside Community Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones.

Dan moved to Ridgecrest, California with his family in 1957, where he built a life dedicated to family, community, and the outdoors. He met the love of his life, Janet Richardson, while attending Sherman E. Burroughs High School and they were blessed with 62 years of marriage, two beautiful daughters, five grandchildren, and three great-grand children.

He was preceded in death by his father Floyd of Ridgecrest, CA; mother Bertha of Minnesota; brothers Duane of Ridgecrest, CA and Richard of Whittier, CA; sister Donna of Minnesota; and grandson Vincent Rojas of Palmdale, CA.

He is survived by his beloved wife Janet; daughters Theresa (Greg) Bell and Susan (Richard) Rojas; grandchildren Chelsey (Isaac) Graham, Robert Rojas, Matt (Alexa) Rojas, and Marissa Bell; great-grandchildren Scarlet Graham, Ivy Graham, and Niko Rojas; sister Darlene Welch and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Dan enjoyed a distinguished 30-year civilian career at the Naval Weapons Center and Edwards Air Force Base, specializing in photography. He was particularly known for his high-speed photography work at the Weapons Survivability Laboratory and for capturing the first landing of the Space Shuttle Columbia at Edwards Air Force Base.

A dedicated outdoorsman and community member, Dan devoted much of his spare time to the local Quail Forever Chapter 3176, spending countless hours in the desert maintaining and rehabilitating water guzzlers to support local wildlife. He was also a proud long-time member of the Ridgecrest Elks Lodge #1913. Dan loved camping, fishing, and hunting, sharing these passions with friends and family and creating cherished memories.

A celebration of life to honor Dan will be held on Friday, July 25th, at 2 p.m. at Elks Lodge #1913 at 201 E Church Ave in Ridgecrest, CA.