Long time small business owner and Hastings community supporter Dan Rother passed away the afternoon of November 14 at the age of 65. Rother, a 1977 graduate of Hastings, started his photography career in 1979 in Hastings. Throughout that career, he helped countless budding photographers learn their craft, including this local reporter.
For me, it was the behind-the-scenes things that he taught me, the tips from behind the camera and all of the postproduction stuff. Color matching, white balancing and too many other things to name that help me take great pictures of our Raider athletes. I would not be half the photographer I am without Dan Rother sharing his knowledge with me. The best part is, he did it for me willingly. He went out of his way at a Hastings Area Rotary Club meeting to offer to teach me. He never looked at me as a competitor, only an equal that he knew he could support to make us all better. Dan truly lived the expression of a rising tide raises all ships.
Our social media post honoring Rother had several comments from people regarding his kindness and passion for the Hastings community.
“I met Dan in 1992 when I was new to town,” said Kathy O’Keefe in her comment. “I had a vision of an elementary school yearbook at McAuliffe. Dan graciously joined the team and taught some budding photography students how he makes magic with a camera. I never forgot how wonderful he was with all the kids who worked with him. What a gentle, kind man, Dan was.”
Jane Neumiller-Bustad, formerly of the United Way of Hastings added to the posts of Dan’s kindness and community support. “I worked with Dan for many years while at United Way of Hastings. He did those great photos you see on the UWH banners around town. He helped make my job easier by being so easy to work with and delivering such professional results.”
Dozens commented on the post sharing their condolences within hours of hearing the news because he had made that kind of impact in the community.
As a Rotarian, he had his hands on so many aspects of the Hastings Area Rotary Club, one of his most passionate projects was the Cycling Without Age (CWA) program. CWA is a program that owns and maintains electric assisted trishaw bikes. These bikes have a volunteer pilot that picks up local seniors and others who, without the service of the CWA program, could not get around town on a bike. The program allows area seniors to be out in the summer months enjoying the wind in their faces and hair. The bikes are often seen at the local Dairy Queen getting a cone and at the many events downtown throughout the summer.
Another community volunteer and fellow Rotarian, Brian Schommer added his thoughts, “I knew Dan quite well working on Rivertown Live with him. I loved what you wrote about him sharing the craft. He was just a fun, giving, selfless person. He was truly an asset to our community and will be greatly missed… he already is.”
The most impressive thing about Dan Rother was his ability to make anyone feel like they have been lifelong friends. That put everyone around him at ease and is a huge reason he was able to get the best out of his photography subjects, he made the process effortless. This was the kind of human he was, he lived the saying "we all do better when we all do better" and he exemplified the Rotary motto of "Service above Self".
“A lot of what people have mentioned in some of their posts was the essence of Dan, on how he makes things not about him, but of others through his photography, he created such values and legacies and history that I think a lot of people finally realize or understand it's not just about having your iPhone and being able to take a lot of great pictures nowadays, there is an art behind it. The skill set and being able to get to that perfect shot that is going to create a lasting memory,” added close friend Jeff Carlson.
Carlson continued, “There are two things he always told me. Number one, he said, be kind to people. You don't know what they're going through at that particular time in their lives. That has really struck me over the years, as well as when he worked on anything, he wanted to do it right. Dan worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the Rivertown Live concert with the tickets and the organization of the seating and so forth, he wanted everything to be the best it could be. If he ever took on anything he wanted to do it right, and he always wanted to leave some place or something better than what he found it. I think it's a great testament that he made my life, he made Hastings, and he made his family's life better than he found it.”
The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce released this statement on their social media regarding Rother.
The Chamber mourns the loss of a strong leader and dear friend.
"As a small business owner, Dan was a fierce advocate for fellow business owners, supporting them as a patron and promoting them. His contributions to various local initiatives will leave a lasting impact on our community for generations to come. In recognition of his lifelong efforts, he was honored with the 2023 Legacy Award from the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau."
Thank you, Dan, for everything you did for the Hastings community and thank you for always lifting up those around you. Most importantly, thank you for taking me under your wing to give the Hastings Journal a chance at being a great community asset, especially when we get to hype up our student-athletes through stories and photos. It is clear from the outpouring of support that your impact on the Hastings community for the last 40 plus years will carry on for decades to come.
As the obituary mentions, if you would like to help contribute to the legacy of Dan Rother, you can do so by donating to the Hastings Area Rotary Foundation. With all the work that Dan did to bring CWA to Hastings, the Hastings Area Rotary Club plans on buying an additional trishaw for CWA and it will be named Dan in his honor. www.hastingsmnrotary.com.