Dan Conners

March 27, 1945 – December 6, 2025

Six Degrees of Separation — Dan Conners in Placer County

Tahoe City, California — Dan Conners was born in Pasadena, California, in 1945. He was conceived at the U.S. Army Air Corps base in Lemoore, California, where his father—a son of Irish immigrants and a B-24 pilot in the Pacific during World War II—had briefly returned to the States for training. Dan spent the rest of his life explaining his birthday. Not many sons of WWII veterans were born in March of 1945.

Soon after the war, Bill Conners and his wife Maryanne moved to Tahoe City with their young family. They had cousins there—the Bechdolts—proprietors of the Tahoe Inn on the northwest shore. Opportunity awaited at the lake, and the Bechdolts gave the Conners family a helping hand with the move. By 1950, Bill Conners had established one of the few gas stations on the West Shore. It quickly became a community hub for the small number of year-round residents.

Bill Conners Chevron served tourists, skiers, boaters, fishermen, vacation homeowners, North Shore casino guests, and the performers who entertained them. But Bill’s loyalty was always to the locals. He served the community as President of Tahoe City Rotary, Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department, School Board member, a Tahoe Cemetery District Board member, and as one of the founders of the Tahoe City Recreation Association. Grateful for the “hand up” he received when establishing himself in town, Bill gave back until the day he died in 1993. Dan Conners loved his father and spent the rest of his life following that same path of service.

Skiing

Dan Conners was a skier. Most Conners were natural athletes, especially on snow. Dan competed alongside local legends Jimmy Heuga and Spider Sabich. His cousin Cheryl Bechdolt was a world champion skier, and his childhood best friend was Mike Marvin, writer and producer of Hot Dog… The Movie, the 1984 box-office hit filmed in and around Squaw Valley.

Mike once said, “It was beautiful watching Dan ski. He was graceful—almost like dancing on the snow.” Though Mike found great success in Hollywood, he held his Tahoe City roots close, much like Dan. For kids growing up in Lake Tahoe in the 1950s and ’60s, skiing wasn’t just a sport—it was a way of life.

One of Dan’s first jobs was as a film runner for the Associated Press during the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. At just 15 years old, he skied rolls of film downhill so they could reach the press before competitors’ submissions. The AP chose the right kid for the job.

Golf

Dan Conners was also a golfer, like all Conners, learning the game at Tahoe City Golf Course. Built in 1918 and later purchased by Carl Bechdolt, the course was a second home to Dan and remains so for many who followed in his footsteps.

As a kid, Dan raked traps and shagged balls during summers. He caddied for celebrities performing at Cal Neva, including members of the Rat Pack, Bob Hope, and Mickey Rooney. He later became Ken Venturi’s local caddie when Venturi visited the lake. On one occasion, Venturi realized he’d left his wallet behind when it came time to pay Dan. Instead, he handed Dan his putter. Dan played with that 1962 copper putter, engraved “Ken Venturi Personal,” for the rest of his life. Venturi won the U.S. Open in 1964.

If you have ever played Auburn Valley, Angus/Raspberry Hill, or Black Oak Golf Course between 1977 and 2012, you probably met Dan—and he probably showed you his putter. He was one of the first Men’s Club members at Black Oak when it opened in 1985.

Dan was famously political on the golf course. “I’d rather be a Republican than have that putt!” or, “Do you know why Democrats are better than Republicans? Have you ever heard of a good piece of elephant?” He was a liberal in a red county, but he always got a laugh. Humor, wit, and understanding mattered more to him than disagreement. Dan was a true social bipartisan.

A Life of Public Service

At 14, Dan left home to pursue a life of service in the Catholic Church—a common path for second-born sons of Irish Catholic families in the 1950s. He gave it an earnest try but eventually developed doubts. Anyone who knew Dan also knew that a vow of celibacy was not a realistic expectation.

He left the seminary, attended the University of San Francisco, and earned a degree in Liberal Arts. After graduation, he began a career in juvenile corrections, followed by work as a probation officer in San Mateo County. He quickly realized that being a cop wasn’t for him—but helping at-risk kids was.

In 1976, Dan quit his job, sold his first house, and took his wife, their seven- and five-year-old sons, and the family dog on almost a year-long journey around the United States during the Bicentennial. Traveling to national parks and historic sites helped him decide where to settle and how to serve. He returned to Placer County, made Auburn his forever home, and found his forever job.

If you were an at-risk child—or the parent of one—between 1977 and 2004, Dan likely helped you. And if you didn’t need his help, chances are you knew someone who did.

Dan worked with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, then served as a social worker for Health and Human Services in Foster Care, Child Protective Services, and the Family and Juvenile Courts. He ended his career as Director of the GAIN Program (Greater Avenues for Independence), which later evolved into CalWORKs. The program didn’t offer a handout; it offered a hand up—job training, childcare, transportation, education, and eventually independence. Dan helped thousands of families, especially children, throughout his career.

The Motherload Foundation

From 1981 to 1983, Dan took a break from county service to become Director of Holly Acres/Motherload School in Weimar, a residential program for teens in the system. When the school eventually closed and was sold, Dan founded the nonprofit Motherload Youth and Family Services Foundation using the proceeds. The board—made up of prominent Auburn community leaders—invested the assets, and gave away the earnings to support unmet local needs.

To date, the Motherload Foundation has donated more than one million dollars to the Auburn community and continues its work today.

Family

Dan is survived by his former wife, co-parent, and lifelong friend Sue Conners (retired, Placer County Department of Education); sons Scott Conners (Auburn Recreation and Park District) and Lieutenant Ty Conners (Placer County Sheriff’s Office); granddaughters Sky, Shiloh, and Megan; three great-grandchildren; three younger sisters; and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.

________________________________________

In Remembrance

Dan Conners’ family and friends invite you to a memorial to be held on the patio of Tahoe City Golf Course on Sunday, June 7, at noon. The day before is the 31st Annual Two Bills Memorial Golf Tournament. Bill Conners and Bill Bechdolt were two of the most important men in Dan’s life, and the tournament remains the largest annual fundraiser for the Tahoe City Recreation Association.

TCRA supports North Tahoe Little League and Girls Softball, Lacross, ballet, the North Tahoe Cross Country Association, North Tahoe High School Golf Team, and the Auburn Ski Club—programs that give kids structure, confidence, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. These are exactly the kinds of opportunities Dan believed in. While he spent his career helping families in crisis, he also believed deeply in prevention: strong communities, positive role models, and access to recreation that keeps kids on the right path.

If Dan Conners touched your life in a positive way—or if you knew someone he helped—please consider making a donation in his name to the Tahoe City Recreation Association. Honoring Dan by supporting the next generation, especially in the community that meant so much to him, is a fitting way to carry his legacy forward.