Daniel Richard Lau, of Soda Springs, Idaho, passed away Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at the age of 82.

Dan was the first-born child of Richard and Nathel Lau, born February 20, 1939 in the Caribou County Hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho.  In 1963, he married Sue Jenkins of Jerome, Idaho.  Together they had six children, whom they primarily raised on the east coast (in the Washington D.C. and Philadelphia areas). His relationships with others were his greatest joy and made a point to keep close to his children, extended family, colleagues, and friends.

Dan had a strong love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and loved to share his testimony with others.  He served as a  missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northwestern States Mission as a young man. After retirement, Dan and Sue served together in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission office supporting over 120 young missionaries and their mission president.  They also served as service missionaries in Soda Springs, ID and as ordinance workers in the Logan, Utah temple.  Dan's dedicated service also included calls to serve as a primary teacher, Sunday school teacher, high councilor, stake executive secretary, assistant area auditor and bishop.

Dan received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Brigham Young University and attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as a Senior Executive Fellow.  He worked over 40 years in management roles in government and nonprofit sectors focusing on financial services for higher education; including the Director of Student Financial Assistance Programs for the U.S. Department of Education and as the CEO of Access Group, Inc. – a non-profit graduate financial aid loan company.

Dan loved to travel, read the Wall Street Journal and New York Times , and edit with a red pen. He and Sue retired to his hometown of Soda Springs, Idaho in 2011.  He was a staunch advocate for education and training, serving for nine years on the Soda Springs School Board, including as past Chair. He also participated on local organization boards sharing his management skills and love for the area – Caribou Historical Society, Southeast Idaho High Country Board, Caribou Development Foundation, liaison to the Soda Springs School District 150 Education Foundation and the Bear River Heritage Area Council.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Nathel, as well as his brother, Michael.  He is survived by his wife, Sue; six children and their spouses - Richard (Tiffani), Omaha, NE; Alyson Jones (Todd), Albuquerque, NM; Heather Turner (John), Houston, TX; Robert (Elizabeth), Soda Springs, ID; Marilyn Pike (Joseph), Phoenix, AZ; and Michelle Wright (Matthew), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.  He is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his siblings, Karen Batmale (Frank), Mark (Jean), Loren (Joanne) and Sue's siblings, Ken Jenkins (Shirlee), Keith Jenkins (Carol), Eileen Wardle (Mike) and Lois Parrish (John) and their families.

A viewing for the community will be held Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. at Sims Funeral Home in Soda Springs, ID.  Funeral services will be held Friday, July 2, 2021 at 12 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Soda Springs Stake Center on 290 South 3 ^rd West in Soda Springs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Soda Springs School District 150 Education Foundation in care of the Daniel R. Lau Memorial Scholarship.