Dan O’Rourke died comfortably at home surrounded by family on March 30, 2025, from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 2:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County (UUFWC), 3186 Burbank Road, Wooster, with assistance from McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com. If you wish to contribute in honor of Dan, the family asks that you consider donations to the aforementioned UUFWC. The following was written by Dan who, once again, has the last word:
This obituary was written some time ago. I decided that if someone were going to write the story of my life, it might as well be me. I offer here a few facts and life lessons gleaned over the years. (Of course, I will ask my wife, Denise Bostdorff, to edit this work just as she has edited the best parts of my life. Besides, she is a much better writer than I am.) Fear not, dear reader, this obituary was previously shared with a few family members to reduce any shocking statements and to cut the worst jokes and stories. If you are reading these words, you likely were one of the many people who helped shape and color my life. To you, I say: Thank you. If you are not a friend, relative, or acquaintance, just someone curious about this strange looking obituary, to you I also say: Thank you. I always liked speaking and writing for an audience.
I was born Daniel Joseph O’Rourke III, eldest son of Dan II and Betty (Traynor) O’Rourke in Warren, OH, on July 28, 1956. Despite the regal sounding name, the traditional moniker carried with it neither wealth nor power. My parents were good people who worked hard to provide for their family and instill in them the need for an education that would provide critical thinking and prospects for a better life. I have a sister (Erin) and two brothers (Tim, who passed in 2019, and Brian) who always supported me and made sure I knew that I was not the smartest person in the room, particularly if one of them were there. (I might remind my siblings of the “Ah, Bach. That is highly significant” incident.) This taught me my first important life lesson: If you listen to the other people in the room, chances are that you will learn something worthwhile. My family also taught me many other important lessons for which I am most grateful.
When I was ten years old, my mother informed me that I would be joining the speech team when I was older. I had no idea what a “speech team” was, but since I thought she was the smartest person in the world, I said, “Sure Mom.” This proved to be a life-changing moment. I joined the high school team, enjoyed a modicum of success, and discovered that I liked having an audience listen to me. I went to college, joined the speech team there, and began my formal study of communication. Graduate school followed, and I began coaching speech teams and teaching. By far, the most significant thing that happened to me in graduate school in 1979 was that I met Denise Bostdorff—my friend, girlfriend, best friend, and, as of July 25, 1987, my wife. Denise has been the single biggest influence on the path of my adult life. (She will be the first to admit that I was not always an easy person to walk with; I was slow, tended to be distracted easily, and got lost a lot.) She has loved me and given me many gifts in our time together, but the two best were our children, our son Morgan Bostdorff O’Rourke and our daughter Devin Bostdorff O’Rourke. We have watched them grow from adorable toddlers into thoughtful, generous adults. My family has been the greatest blessing in my life and the thing for which I am most grateful. I love you. I would be remiss here if I did not extend the credit and thank the entire Bostdorff family for welcoming me into their clan. Even after multiple early incidents where I “stole” toothpaste and shampoo from their home, I was forgiven and accepted by Denise’s parents, Jim and Nancy Bostdorff. The Bostdorff siblings (Jim, Joy, and Johnna), their spouses (Selene, Tom, and Dan), and all their children have tolerated my idiosyncrasies, laughed at some of my jokes, and tried to educate me about farming and the large green machines they store in their barns. Life lesson #2: Marry people who are smarter and nicer than you. They usually come from good families, and they improve the future gene pool.
Obituaries typically address one’s life work. I was a teacher who taught at several schools. I met many fine students and worked with some wonderful colleagues. I was also asked to do a little research. I began by studying the rhetoric of the Catholic Church and gradually turned to the study of popular culture. At the end of my career, I focused on comic books and graphic novels that defined modern heroes and illustrated complex issues in medicine. I was fortunate to have lived in the Silver Age of comic books and seen the Golden Age of comic book movies. My wife and children have endured numerous trips to comic book stores, Comic-cons (where Morgan and Devin met Stan Lee), endless superhero movies, and a few comic libraries; they have also provided me with some strange but appreciated Christmas gifts (Superman socks, a Thanos gauntlet, personalized images of me as a superhero, and a Captain America shield). I was a very fortunate person to be so loved and well treated by such wonderful people. Thank you.
My favorite movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which my family watches nearly every Christmas Eve. Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart’s classic tale teaches us that extraordinary things happen in ordinary lives. Moreover, none of us know the full extent of the impact we may have had on the lives of others. Simple acts of kindness or grace are not measured in the moment, but in the memory. Near the end of the film, the guardian angel, Clarence, turns to George Bailey and says: “You know George, you really had a wonderful life.” Clarence could have been speaking to me. I really had a wonderful life. Final lesson: Enjoy! Life is finite, imperfect, and yet can be extraordinary. Thank you all for making my life so wonderful.
I’m so sorry to hear about Dan. I will always miss hearing his great laugh. The world was definitely a better place because of him.
Dear Dan, you have been a wonderful person for so many. May you rest in peace and know that you have been loved.
Our family was blessed to have Dan in our lives. He was such a kind and caring person with an incredible sense of humor. These last nearly three years have been a rollercoaster filled with hope, doctor visits, surgeries, treatments, recoveries and then more obstacles. Dan fought the good fight through all of this till he could fight no more. We wish him peace. Peace as well to my sister Denise, Morgan and Devo. Denise was a rock through all this unwanted, unnecessary adventure. Mo and Dev I know both your parents were so thankful your help caring for your Dad. You both acquired your father’s kind, caring nature and razor sharp wit.
We love you all,
Jim and Selene
I met Dan at the Superhero Conference in Oxford many years ago, and was immediately comfortable in the presence of this kind, avuncular, wise individual. He remained a supportive online contact in the years since. It broke my heart to read of his passing and of his illness, of which I had no idea. Ironically, I will be in Wooster next weekend for a comics conference, and I was looking forward to finally meeting up. I don’t know what else to say but that Dan was truly a wonderful person who brought warmth, comfort, and joy even to people who only encountered him once. My most sincere condolences to his family.
A beautiful obituary, but more importantly a beautiful man. I was honored to be one of the people he considered a friend, but again more importantly I honored Dan as a good friend. He was gentle and kind. He had a great sense of humor and was committed to important issues like Black Lives Matter even when he had already been told about his brain tumor. I visited Dan over the past few months during an election we both thought we would won. As disappointed as it turned out, I’m sorry he didn’t know about Wisconsin. Dan was right, he has a wonderful family. Each one committed to important issues, certainly his wife, Denise as well. Was glad, Dan that you remained in your home where your family was able to surround you. I will miss you, Dan. May you RIP. You are right….you had a wonderful life. I will miss you.
He will be greatly missed for everything, including the important job of quidditch coach at the Wooster Hogwarts workshop. RIP, friend….
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful obituary.
I just heard a bell——Dan you have your wings!
Denise, Devin and Morgan:
Thinking of you and praying for your comfort during this time of loss.
We just live a couple of doors up the Blvd. from Dan, Denise, & Morgan. What a fantastic life Dan had! I sure wish I would have known him! His obit is fascinating! Sorry I didn’t get to read his story when they first moved here! Wishing the best to Denise, Devin, & Morgan! Very glad to have you in the neighborhood!
Denise, Devin and Morgan:
I’m so very sorry to hear of the passing of Dan, such a huge part of your lives. I cannot image how you feel. I offer these words from Cassandra Clare, “We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss.” Please know that I’m holding you in the light and am sending peace and comfort.
Dia
My condolences to Devin and Denise
I have had the privilege of knowing Dan since my wife began teaching with Denise at the College of Wooster. I last saw Dan in June of last year as we met with Dan and Denise for lunch in Wooster. I have a picture of us together that we will cherish. As with others, my heart was broken when informed of his death. I remember with others his sense of humor. I also remember his dedication to truth and justice that this was always an inspiration for me. I will miss his yearly holiday family letter. Most of all, I will miss him. My heart goes out to Denise, Morgan, Devin, and family. Dear Jesus, watch out for him. You have been warned!
We were so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. While we didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Dan in person, we certainly felt his presence in our family through Denise, Devin and Morgan, and his amazing Holiday letters. He will forever be a part of all who’s lives he touched in so many ways, including his personal obituary. May you all be at peace with his presence now, and forever in your lives, and the lives of so many others.
How wonderful to have these memories and words from Dan. So full of humor & joy. My heart is with you all.
Denise, Morgan , Devin,
Deepest sympathy on Dan’s passing. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. His personal obituary was well written and so Dan.
May God be with you at this difficult time and bless you.
Gary & Rita Pauff
I met. Dr. Dan through my professor at the College of Wooster who was Dr. Denise Bostdorff. He welcomed me into his home with interesting questions, and as someone who loves to talk, he and I had many interesting conversations whenever I was fortunate to be invited over for dinner which continued well after I graduated from college.
I would read his Christmas letters with such happiness, and over the past few years a bit of sadness as he fought cancer so valiantly! Dr. Dan was a wonderful person: funny, caring, and so intelligent! May he rest in eternal peace.
.
To Dr. Bostdorff, Morgan and Devin I will keep you in my prayers. You did an amazing job for your husband and father. Thank you!
Denise, Morgan, and Devin,
I am so sorry to hear the news about Dan’s death. The obituary he wrote is a lovely glimpse into a wonderful, bright, generous man. The few times I spent with Dan in your home or at Wooster events were warm, funny, and earnest.
Denise, I wish I had taken more time to visit when we were together briefly in McGaw last September. Deepest condolences to you all, may your memories be a blessing. Warmly, Linda Morgan-Clement
I was on the search committee that hired Dan at Ashland University and counted him as a convivial and gracious colleague for many years. We both referred to the other as Dan I and to ourselves as Dan II. I’m so fortunate to have known Dan I. My condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace. — Dan II
Dan was a great colleague at Ashland University, gracious to all, and I am sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to all who mourn his passing.
To you, I say: Thank you.
Denise, Morgan, and Devon. So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. May he rest in peace now, out of pain. Denise you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Long live Dan & his Legacy 🎈