Daniel Patrick Clemens Sr.

Daniel P. Clemens Sr. of Fort Wayne, Ind., husband, father, grandfather, Navy officer, Korean War veteran, engineer, entrepreneur, pilot, sailor, outdoorsman, artist and musician died March 19, 2024, in Syracuse, Ind. He was 93.

“A Renaissance man in the truest sense of the term” said Sheila M. Ogle, the oldest of the family’s seven children. “But above all, he was dedicated to being a model father and devoted family man.”

Though his abilities, pursuits and accomplishments were many, he maintained an unassuming and generous nature that made a deep impression on countless people who crossed paths with him over the years.

“He had plenty of reason to try to draw attention to himself, but didn’t do so,” said Daniel P. “Danny” Clemens Jr. “Instead, he made space for others and endeavored to listen to, learn about and value other people from all backgrounds and walks of life.”

The family received an outpouring of reaction and condolence messages from family and friends, including:

* “My godfather and the best man ever. He always made me laugh and feel special.”

* “He was always so kind and a joy to be around.”

* “One of the finest and most fun people I have had the pleasure of knowing.”

* “He was truly a great man. He impacted my life.”

* “Loved that guy the moment I met him.”

* “He made me feel valued when I was around him. He made the effort to be kind even during the time following the death of [daughter] Meg.”

* “What a blessing he was to everyone who knew him.”

* “I have so many fond memories of having fun with him at your house. I was blessed to know him.”

The lifelong Fort Wayne resident was born on June 6, 1930, the son of Herbert and Florence Clemens. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1948, where he played multiple sports and earned All City honors as a guard on the football team.

He then attended Purdue University, participating in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program and graduating in 1952. He was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, later serving several years on the organization’s alumni board of directors. He also was a longtime member of the John Purdue Club, an athletics boosters group, and was a faithful and ardent fan of Boilermaker sports. His automobile license tags proclaimed “BEAT ND” in even years and “BEAT IU” in odd. 

College was followed by military duty, as he served two years active duty during the Korean War. Assigned to the USS Calvert, an amphibious warship, he saw action leading landing boat crews that embarked from the Calvert and transported Marines and equipment onto enemy beaches via small landing craft, often while under fire.

With his military service completed, he began his professional career as an engineer for GM in Danville, Ill. He then returned to his hometown to operate Wayne Metal Protection Co., founded by his father. He led the business for nearly 50 years, undertaking myriad initiatives that yielded expansion and modernization of the enterprise. He was active in the National Association of Metal Finishers, serving on the executive board and playing an instrumental role in establishing the Indiana chapter of the organization, dedicating significant effort to engage with and bring together varied business owners throughout the state with the goal of benefit for all.

As a longtime parishioner at St. Jude Catholic Church, his contributions were wide-ranging. He helped establish the parish’s Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program, and volunteered as an adult choir member, lector, and usher.

His avocational passions were numerous and diverse. As an artist, he created in an array of media including sketching (pencil and ink), painting (oil and watercolors), and sculpting. He possessed musical ability as well, mainly piano but he took up the banjo and ukulele, too, composing several memorable numbers in his younger years. He started piano instruction in the seventh grade and continued intermittently into adulthood. He also earned his private pilot’s license in the late-1970s, typically flying Cessna 152 aircraft out of the Back 40 Flying Club at the then-Fort Wayne Municipal Airport on flights around the region.

Survivors include daughters Sheila M. Ogle (Scott) of Noblesville, Ind.; Kathryn T. Hash (Michael) of Indianapolis, Ind.; and Grace M. Conway (Brian) of St. Joseph, Mich.; sons Daniel P. Clemens Jr. (Cheryl) of Ellicott City, Md., and Patrick J. Clemens (Susan) of San Rafael, Calif.; grandchildren Mitchell (Kari), Daniel P. III, Gretchen, Blake, Luci Rease (Brian), Scottie, Gordan, Meg, Finn, Rowan, William, and Eleanor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Florence, daughter Margaret Mary “Meg,” son M. Brendan, sisters Carroll and Rhonda Berghoff, and brother Phillip.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, with a Rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 12, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 2130 Pemberton Drive, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour before the service. Burial will be at Divine Mercy Catholic Cemetery at a later date.