Daniel Esmond Forbes passed away on February 22, 2023 at age 85 while on a daily walk near his home in Arcata.

He was born June 11, 1937, in Compton to parents Joseph McCue Forbes Sr. of Illinois and Mary Jean Childs Forbes of Ohio. Brother Joseph McCue Forbes Jr. was born in August 1940.

The Forbes family moved to Arcata in 1946, when Joseph Sr. became a professor and coach at Humboldt State College (HSC). The family lived in a house on upper B Street, now part of the Cal Poly Humboldt campus, as well as the historic Bair-Stokes House on 13th Street, before building a mid-century modern home at the foot of Fickle Hill Road. Throughout these years, Danny attended College Elementary School on the college campus and then Arcata High School, where he was voted to have best legs.

As Department Chair for Health and Physical Education, his father Joseph M. Forbes was instrumental in constructing the track, football stadium and field house at HSC. Joe Sr. encouraged diverse students from his former teaching job at Compton Junior College to become students at HSC. Upon his retirement in 1975, the Joseph M Forbes Physical Education Complex was established in his name. This facility is now known as the Forbes Gymnasium and the Recreation and Wellness Center.

With first wife Audrey Ann Ritola, Dan had three children: Linda Ann born June 1958, Alan Daniel born May 1960, and Sheri Ann born December 1961. After graduating from HSC, Dan was employed by Safeway (now Wildberries Marketplace) and was an active member of the JCs (Junior Chamber of Commerce). He then earned a teaching credential and taught several grades over the years, including special education and shop, at Bloomfield Elementary School, Stewart Elementary School, and Sunny Brae Middle School.

He married Linda Hall Swarts on August 11, 1968, a true love match. For the rest of their lives together, they used “Love is You”, “XXOO” and “Strangers in the Night” as terms of endearment to declare their enduring love for one another. During summer breaks from teaching, the couple traveled back and forth across the US collecting antiques, Frank Sinatra memorabilia, embossed glasses, music boxes and advertising dolls. Dan kept immaculate records and the couple eventually were able to boast that they had visited every county in the lower 48 states.

Inspired by early breweries Anchor Brewing Company and New Albion Brewing Company in the 1970s, Dan and Linda visited Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (Chico) and Hopland Brewery (Hopland), some of the first California microbreweries to set up shop in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Thereafter, Dan dedicated vacation time to visiting all microbreweries in the US. Little did he know that the number of microbreweries would explode in the following decades. Undeterred, Dan was passionate about collecting logo pint glasses, coasters, and business cards well into retirement, planning routes across the US. When he got home, he created cabinets and organized files in which to display these collections, some of the largest in the nation. Across more than three decades, he visited more than 6,000 microbreweries.

Dan and Linda enjoyed attending the East Coast Breweriana Association (ECBA), the National Association of Breweriana Advertising (NABA), and the Brewery Collectibles Club of America (BCCA) annual conventions, where they made lifelong friends. Meanwhile, Dan offered his “extra” collectables and graphic design skills for display in local breweries. In retirement, he made friends with local brewers and together they traveled to the World Beer Cup Competition in Denver, Colo. to represent local breweries.

Linda and Dan decorated their home with visually stunning displays that they shared with friends and family via countless gatherings, dinners, holiday parties, garden tours, and beer tastings. Dan was the consummate host, sharing jokes and pouring everyone’s beverage of choice from behind the bar. His home reflected his high standards for visual display, and his friendly demeanor welcomed new and old friends alike. Linda and Dan would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2023.

Dan was preceded in death by his father Joseph Forbes (1976), mother Mary Jean Childs Forbes (2011), and brother Joseph Forbes (2018). He is survived by his wife Linda Forbes; children Linda Smith, Alan Forbes and wife Rebecca, and Sheri Forbes; grandchildren Danielle Jackson and husband Todd, Katie Smith, Amanda Key and husband Tim, Matthew Forbes, Madalin Forbes; and great grandchildren Colton Smith, Todd “TJ” Jackson II, Asher Key, Evryn Key, Josiah Jackson, Elijah Smith, and Emery Key.

A celebration will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at their family home in Arcata to remember Dan for the kind and loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend he was. Friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please support your local breweries.

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