"To bring awareness and provide funding for the research of rare kidney cancers like HLRCC in children and... more"To bring awareness and provide funding for the research of rare kidney cancers like HLRCC in children and young adults." -Driven To Cure
www.driventocure.org
We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Daniel Tae Hyun Ahn. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Daniel Tae Hyun Ahn passed away at the age of 44 after a courageously fought, year-long battle with cancer. He slipped away peacefully and was surrounded by family.
Many will remember him as kind hearted and light hearted, a brilliant and meticulous designer, faithful man of God, and a humanitarian.
Dan was a global citizen. He was born in the Philippines, and also lived in Colombia, South Korea, China, the US, and the UAE. He... see moreDaniel Tae Hyun Ahn passed away at the age of 44 after a courageously fought, year-long battle with cancer. He slipped away peacefully and was surrounded by family.
Many will remember him as kind hearted and light hearted, a brilliant and meticulous designer, faithful man of God, and a humanitarian.
Dan was a global citizen. He was born in the Philippines, and also lived in Colombia, South Korea, China, the US, and the UAE. He studied at Washington University, and had a successful career as an architect and interior designer, with projects spanning the globe.
In 2016, he moved to Los Angeles and married the love of his life. Los Angeles is his final resting place. He will be buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Chung, parents, Sang Won Ahn and Myung Sook Lee, and his sister, Sun Young Ahn.
If you'd like to share a memory or upload a photo, go to "Posts."
In-lieu of flowers, Dan would have suggested contributions to organizations that make the world a better place. Here are some suggestions:
National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/overview/contributing
Driven to Cure: https://www.driventocure.org/
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
Daniel was one of my first friends in Dubai. We got to know each other when he lived here, spending a lot of time together. Dan was an instant friend. He had a beautiful warm demeanor, a gentle giant, and so so funny. To this day, Dan has authored the... moreDaniel was one of my first friends in Dubai. We got to know each other when he lived here, spending a lot of time together. Dan was an instant friend. He had a beautiful warm demeanor, a gentle giant, and so so funny. To this day, Dan has authored the funniest train of messages I have ever received, I cry with laughter every time I read it. I am thankful I was able to spend time with this wonderful man, and call him my friend. And I am really happy he was able to find happiness and love with Connie. I am deeply saddened by his passing. We truly have lost a beautiful human, but I know he is now in a painless and peaceful place, lovingly watching over us. To my buddy Dan, I miss you. x less
This is such a beautiful memorial page. Thank you for sharing all of the photos and memories, Connie. It was lovely to read everyone’s wonderful memories of Dan. I wish I had gotten a chance to spend more time with him!
I had the pleasure of meeting... moreThis is such a beautiful memorial page. Thank you for sharing all of the photos and memories, Connie. It was lovely to read everyone’s wonderful memories of Dan. I wish I had gotten a chance to spend more time with him!
I had the pleasure of meeting Dan and Connie for dinner in Sacramento and closer to home, in Palms. Both were fantastic evenings and felt like we had been friends for years. I liked Dan from the moment I met him and loved hearing more about your amazing love story.
The good ones are worth waiting for, but once you found each other I am glad you did not waste any time in being together. James and I are sending lots of love! less
Good people pass away. The godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why.
No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. (Isaiah 57:1-2)
I first met Dan when Kate, Connie, Dan and I met at the Highland Park Bowl for pizza and bowling. We ate, we drank and we did some pretty lousy bowling, except for Dan, who playfully and modestly demolished us. A good time was had by all. He was such a... moreI first met Dan when Kate, Connie, Dan and I met at the Highland Park Bowl for pizza and bowling. We ate, we drank and we did some pretty lousy bowling, except for Dan, who playfully and modestly demolished us. A good time was had by all. He was such a sweet and gentle soul and it breaks my heart that he has left this life and his beautiful wife so soon. Thank you, Connie, for posting all the great photos so of some of his good times. less
I met Dan and Connie as they strolled through Grand Park. Their love was obvious. The two beamed. Thereafter I got diagnosed with cancer. Then Dan did. Our friendship grew as we both became more vulnerable & yet more alive. We beat the summer heat... moreI met Dan and Connie as they strolled through Grand Park. Their love was obvious. The two beamed. Thereafter I got diagnosed with cancer. Then Dan did. Our friendship grew as we both became more vulnerable & yet more alive. We beat the summer heat with a virtual date—way before the days of zoom and COVID-19. He and Connie got a kiddie pool and placed it on their roof and splashed and laughed—and inspired me to crawl out of bed and take a dip with my kids. We managed an in person doggie play date, where Garu schooled my pup, who is twice as big as ms. Garu. Again we laughed at the chaos and life! We took a field trip to holistic healers. We shared, we smiled, we laughed, we cried, we lived our fullest lives! Rest In Peace Dan, I am so grateful that our paths crossed. less
I only met Tae once when he came to visit his older sister, Sun-Young, several summers ago. I recall he was the only guy surrounded by a bunch of chatty girls who were all interested in hearing about his fiance and upcoming wedding. He managed to calmly... moreI only met Tae once when he came to visit his older sister, Sun-Young, several summers ago. I recall he was the only guy surrounded by a bunch of chatty girls who were all interested in hearing about his fiance and upcoming wedding. He managed to calmly hold his own, and it was apparent he had been well-trained by his mom and sister to handle so much feminine energy. Much love and peace to his sister, parents, and beloved wife, Connie. less
My kids only got to meet Dan once, but he sure left an impression! Calm, funny, confident, authentic, thoughtful, and creative. My kids still talk with wonder and awe about the treadmill he made for Garu. His huge heart and smile is missed. Love and... moreMy kids only got to meet Dan once, but he sure left an impression! Calm, funny, confident, authentic, thoughtful, and creative. My kids still talk with wonder and awe about the treadmill he made for Garu. His huge heart and smile is missed. Love and Peace to Connie, his family, and all his friends. less
Dan was huge... More than just tall of course, but with an enormous heart and curiosity about the world and desire to make it better. I'm still trying to upload a video of Garu's treadmill, which to me is just one example of his great love and devotion... moreDan was huge... More than just tall of course, but with an enormous heart and curiosity about the world and desire to make it better. I'm still trying to upload a video of Garu's treadmill, which to me is just one example of his great love and devotion to his beloved family. He will be truly missed and cherished by everyone who loves you. less
Dan will be greatly missed. He had a wacky sense of humor, and a humble and generous nature. He was a creative tinkerer with an enormous heart. Garu could not have had a better dad. Connie and he were an adorable couple and I was overjoyed that they... moreDan will be greatly missed. He had a wacky sense of humor, and a humble and generous nature. He was a creative tinkerer with an enormous heart. Garu could not have had a better dad. Connie and he were an adorable couple and I was overjoyed that they had found each other. The love they shared will live on, and Dan will live on in the hearts of everyone who's life he has touched. My heart goes out to you all. less
I was so happy when Connie shared she had met the man she wanted to marry. Connie was very particular about the kind of guy she was looking for and lo and behold she found him! It took her awhile. But I was so happy for her and hosted a dinner party... moreI was so happy when Connie shared she had met the man she wanted to marry. Connie was very particular about the kind of guy she was looking for and lo and behold she found him! It took her awhile. But I was so happy for her and hosted a dinner party to celebrate her good fortune!I.
Dan was good looking, bright and easy going! Oh he was also very tall! I was particularly fond of him because he ate two helpings of my prepared
dinner. I thought Connie had hit the jackpot. Good looks, intelligence and a kind heart is a winning combination! Dan will be missed by all who had the opportunity to meet him! less
I remember the first time Connie told me about Dan—we were plantings trees in South LA on Earth Day. It was amazing how much they had in common! Dan’s reputation definitely preceded him. When I finally got to meet him, it was clear that they had... moreI remember the first time Connie told me about Dan—we were plantings trees in South LA on Earth Day. It was amazing how much they had in common! Dan’s reputation definitely preceded him. When I finally got to meet him, it was clear that they had found their soul mates. I got to know Dan as smart, funny, creative, quirky, handy... Connie’s perfect match. We’re so sorry that your time together was too too short. The memories will live forever in our hearts.
We’re so sad to hear of Dan’s passing. We met Dan and Connie through a community group at church. Dan was so honest and transparent whenever he would share. He had a way of turning the conversation to more personal things and I really appreciated... moreWe’re so sad to hear of Dan’s passing. We met Dan and Connie through a community group at church. Dan was so honest and transparent whenever he would share. He had a way of turning the conversation to more personal things and I really appreciated that. He wasn’t afraid to be himself and that helped all of us open up to one another.
Dan would invite me over to the house and we’d sit on the bench he built on the back patio. I loved those times. We talked about life – marriage, work, struggles, and our faith. I always left those times feeling more connected to myself for having got to share what was really going on. That was one of Dan’s gifts. I never felt like I had to pretend around him. He was willing to be himself and share with me the parts of his life that we’re all are embarrassed to admit, so I would too.
One memory I have was the day we rode our bikes over to the Culver City Stairs. Dan thought we were just going for a bike ride but when we got there I suggested we climb to the top. Dan didn’t love the idea but he did it. At one point I didn’t think he was going to make it but he kept going. We made it to the top and he was unimpressed with himself. I was like, “Dude, you made it!” and he was like, “yeah.” He was that kind of guy – not going to quit, and not going to brag.
Another time I was working on a graphic design plan for a college gym that our mutual friend was looking to remodel. I wanted to Photoshop the images onto the walls but couldn’t get a good picture of the space. Dan was like, “just give it to me,” and he whipped up this amazing recreation of the room that was better than anything I could have imagined. And I was like, “Dude, this is awesome!” and he acted like it was nothing.
But the fondest memory I have is the day he came to work with me and helped us install this huge mural on top of a middle school’s roof. It was like forty-five 4’ x 8’ panels that we had to lift into place, drill and then fasten. It was a ton of work to squeeze into one day, much more for a guy who was use to sitting behind a desk. Near the end he was so tired that he was staggering as he walked. We tried to get him to sit down but he was determined to finish.
And that’s how I’ll remember Dan. The Lord dealt him a really tough hand this past year but whenever we talked he never complained. Towards the end I could hear in his voice that he was growing weary. He was staggering but determined to finish. He was real in telling me what was going on and how he was feeling, but more often than not he would tell me how thankful he was for Connie, or how glad he was to see his family. He never wavered in his faith and would often speak of the “blessings,” God was providing. And if it was anyone else I might have thought he was putting on an act, but because he was always genuine I knew he meant it.
Dan was a quiet leader. He lead our conversations by being the first to really share. He set the example. And in parting with this life and going to be with our Lord, he sets another example.
I’m so thankful to God for giving me a friend like Dan, and for the hope we have in Jesus. When my time comes I hope I can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” like Dan. less
I’m so glad I got to meet Dan, even if it was just once. I knew Connie had found her match when she told us that he liked the same wacky TV shows. I remember we went to a Mexican restaurant downtown to celebrate your wedding and he was late because he... moreI’m so glad I got to meet Dan, even if it was just once. I knew Connie had found her match when she told us that he liked the same wacky TV shows. I remember we went to a Mexican restaurant downtown to celebrate your wedding and he was late because he was navigating LA public transportation. I thought, he’s so adventurous! I’ll always remember the treadmill he built for Garu. He just seemed like such a cool, funny, creative, laid-back person. Exactly the kind of person worthy of Connie. I’m so incredibly glad he was here, even if his time was way too short. Our hearts are with you. less
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