Families Honor Beloved Barstow Administrator

Three families surprised Dan McNickle with an enduring memorial to his late mother on the Barstow campus.
To thousands of Barstow students past and present, "Mr. Dan" is the first person they see as they arrive at school in the morning, stationed by the main entrance doors to greet each person by name with a handshake, high five or a hug. He works with every family at the School in his roles as Executive Director of Extended Care, Summer Programs and Community Relations and Barstow Fund Manager. His dedication to Barstow students and their education is something he credits to his mother, Susan McNickle, who passed away in December at the age of 75 after a long illness.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, three Barstow families showed their profound appreciation to Mr. Dan through their generous support of the Roots of Remembrance campaign. The main entrance bench near Mr. Dan's morning post will be dedicated to his mother and will also honor his wife and lower school STEAM teacher Jennifer, and his sons Bennett '22 and Jackson '24. The lower school playground pavilion will now be named the Susan McNickle Pavilion.

Mr. Dan said he was incredibly grateful and moved by the tribute. "My mother loved nothing more than to hear about my day working with the students at Barstow, and after operating a daycare for more than thirty years, she left a legacy of love and support for all children," he said. "I'll go out to the lower school playground and look at that memorial plaque every day and remember her."

The Roots of Remembrance campaign offers the Barstow community an opportunity to honor or remember loved ones by purchasing a tree, bench, or another meaningful item on campus with a personalized plaque. These gifts make a lasting impact by enriching outdoor spaces, enhancing the beauty and function of our campus and strengthening the Barstow community for generations to come.
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    • The Westphal, Gregory, Brodd and Holmes families expressed their gratitude to "Mr. Dan" McNickle with a memorial gift to Roots of Remembrance in his mother's name.

    • Mr. Dan greets a student on the first day of school, near the bench that will memorialize his mother.

    • A bronze plaque will be installed on the lower school playground designating this space as the Susan McNickle Pavilion.