Daniel Lee Maag

Daniel Lee Maag passed away Monday, September 2, 2024, from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. A funeral service was held on September 19, 2024, at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

An interment service will be led by Dan’s dear friends, Bob Just and Wayne Bietz, on October 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grace Hill Cemetery in Tripp, SD. Friends and family are welcome.

Dan was born August 24, 1960, in Parkston, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm in Tripp, SD. Dan participated in 4-H, multiple sports and swing/show choir. After graduating from Tripp High School, Dan attended and graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, majoring in Civil Engineering. Dan had fond memories of his high school and college friends and activities.

Dan worked in Yankton, SD, for B&E Engineering, Inc., right out of college, 1982 until 1985. In August 1985, Dan moved to Lakewood, Colorado, and began his 38-year career at the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Denver, CO. He started in the Water Conveyance Branch performing work within the Canals, Structures and Roads Section. In 1988, Dan began working in the Estimating, Specification and Value Program Group at the BOR. He served on negotiation teams for procurement offices and developed the Estimating Group’s “Unit Price Expect Database,” a valuable resource for the group that is still in use today. In 1998, Dan served as the Resident Engineer on the Water Island Project in St. Thomas, USVI during construction activities for the project. Over the years, Dan was promoted within the Technical Services Center (TSC), Estimating Services Group multiple times. His final promotion occurred in March 2020 to Group Manager for the TSC, Estimating Services Group. Dan had a significant impact on many BOR projects, policies, publications and personnel. He prepared numerous Cost Estimates for water resource projects, was responsible for the preparation and publication of the Reclamation Construction Cost Trends, prepared and taught Cost Estimating classes to both internal and external agencies and ensured his extensive work experiences and skills were conveyed to new employees through training and mentorship. In addition to his normal work responsibilities, he also served as the Client Liaison for the Mid-Pacific Region for the TSC. Dan’s unique blend of discipline, generosity and focus resulted in his dependability and reliability as an employee. He thrived in the work environment that allowed his dedication and precision to shine. Dan retired from the Bureau of Reclamation December 2022.

While pursuing his illustrious career, Dan met his future wife, Lori Meade, in Denver in 1986. Dan and Lori married in 2002 and have one son, Matthew. Dan was very proud to learn that not only would Matt be following in his engineering footsteps but would also be attending his alma mater, SDSU, and ultimately plans to work at the BOR after graduation.

Dan’s faith was very important to him. After joining Wheat Ridge Lutheran Church, Dan quickly became active in the workings of the church. He participated on the Stewardship Board and eventually became one of the Lay Ministers. Dan strived to be compassionate and caring with church members while carrying out the responsibilities of the boards he served on.

Dan enjoyed traveling, visiting and hiking in national parks, camping and spending time at the Wiggins property.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Ruby Maag, and brothers, Bob Maag and Larry Maag.

Dan is survived by his wife, Lori Maag and son Matthew Maag, Lakewood, CO. He is also survived by his sister, MJ Knobe (husband Carlton Hupke), Sioux Falls, SD; goddaughter and niece, Sarah Maag (friend Troy Keller), Sioux Falls, SD; nephews, Cole Maag, Littleton, CO, and Nick Maag (wife Alex, children Oliver and Adeline), Highlands Ranch, CO; niece, Jennifer Wilson (husband Billy, daughter McKenzie), Tucson, AZ; nephew, Justin Gindro (son Brody), Brookside, CO; niece, Krista Vendetti (husband James Van Liew), Bridgton, ME, as well as numerous other family and friends that cared deeply for Dan.

Memorial contributions in honor of Daniel Maag may be directed to the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering at South Dakota State University. Checks should be made payable to the SDSU Foundation and mailed to 815 Medary Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006. Online donations can also be made at givenow.sdstatefoundation.org, designated to the Excellence Fund for the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, with "Daniel Maag" noted in the comment section.