Daniel Willard

Daniel David Milne Willard, Navy test pilot and founder of KinderSport, died on June 6, 2013 in Coronado, California after a long struggle with atypical Parkinson’s disease. He was 86. Born on April Fools Day, 1927 in New York City to Irma Sompayrac and David Milne Willard II, he had a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humor which he shared with everyone he met. He spent his childhood in Framingham, Massachusetts where he attended the Jonathan Maynard School and developed a love of aviation from a young age spending hours working on model airplanes. Dan studied at Georgetown University before receiving an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated with the class of 1950. After completing flight training he flew the F8F before transitioning to the first jet aircraft. A Night Fighter Pilot and Test Pilot, LCDR. Willard was among the first candidates for the fledgling space program, along with John Glenn and Wally Schirra, before being eliminated because he was too tall. Dan married Suzanne Johnson on September 12, 1953 and they had three children: Alice Darby, David Milne and Richard Briand. After leaving the Navy he worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft and moved to London where he met and married Priscilla Berry on May 19, 1967. They had two daughters: Katherine De Blieux and Alexandra Milne. Dan and Priscilla moved to Park City, Utah where they opened the original KinderSport in 1973, the first children's only ski and sporting goods store in the United States. Together they built the business expanding to multiple locations including Aspen, New York City, and San Francisco serving three generations of loyal customers before Dan’s illness forced the closing of the business in 2011. Dan also designed The Galleria Mall on historic Main Street and the Quittin’ Time Condominiums on Woodside Avenue. Dan is survived by his five children, his grandchildren: Hayley, Halsey, Alden, Grant, Gavin, Carter, Anna, Mason and Annabelle; and his great granddaughter, Michaela. Dan will be buried in The American Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana next to his beloved mother on July 25, 2013. A graveside service to honor his life will be held at 4:30 pm on the 25th. In lieu of flowers, please donate to his favorite cause, KPCW NPR radio.