Beloved longtime San Bernardino newspaperman dies of COVID-19
Dan Hendricks was a big man with a big heart.
If you needed to laugh — or just smile — you turned to him.
In early February, Daniel Ray Hendricks died from complications of COVID-19.
Born Oct. 9, 1943, in Indianapolis, he died 77 years later — on Feb. 2.
Hendricks was a longtime newspaperman, starting at the Sun-Telegram in 1961, after graduating high school, as a Linotype operator.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and returned to the paper in 1967. He worked there until 2007, completing a 44year career with his hometown newspaper.
When lead type was phased out, Hendricks moved to The Sun’s features department
Hendricks lifted the spirits of those who worked with him. He always seemed glad to lighten the mood and bring a smile.
Frank Pine, executive editor of the Southern California News Group, shared the thoughts of many.
“We are so sad to learn of Dan’s passing,” Pine said. “In his many years — decades, actually — at The Sun, Dan was a tireless and exacting editor who made the newspaper better every day he was there.”
Hendricks’ sense of humor permeated all aspects of his life. His smile and the twinkle in his eyes were about helping people feel more comfortable, his former coworkers said.
He originated the feature “Dan’s Slice of Wry” in the newspaper, now known simply as “Slice of Wry.” A bit of daily humor — sometimes clever, sometimes, a groaner, and sometimes profound — but always ‘wry.’
He was a practical joker too, his friend and mentor John Whitehair said.
Whitehair, the former night editor of The Sun, recalls that Hen
dricks wasn’t shy and would walk up to strangers and begin a conversation.
“He showed me some of the tricks of the trade,” said Whitehair, who edited and supervised some of the coverage of San Bernardino and surrounding cities for the paper. “Danny always gave 110% — the paper got its money’s worth.”
Hendricks enjoyed hiking and trekking through the forest with friends and fellow nature enthusiasts.
His sense of humor preceded him. Whitehair recalled acknowledgment of Hendrick’s humor at the courthouse.
“I was in court one time because I was called for jury duty, and the defense attorney was asking me the usual questions about where I worked and what I did for a living,” Whitehair recalled. “When I said I edited stories at The Sun, the judge suddenly spoke up and said, ‘Do you work with that guy Hendricks? Tell him his jokes are funny.’”
No matter what he did, Hendricks put his whole heart into it.
There were several years when he and some fellow employees rented a houseboat and went exploring up and down the Colorado River.
Friend and former Sun
Managing Editor Rosemary McClure remembers those adventures.
“Danny was a fun guy — everybody enjoyed being around him and had a great time with him,” she said. “He was also a funny guy — hilarious because of the jokes he told and the things he did. Life around him was never boring.”
In addition to boating, Hendricks enjoyed target shooting and hiking.
Former features reporter Carla Wheeler has many memories of him too.
“Danny and I shared many good times after we met at the San Bernardino Sun. We hiked to the San Bernardino Mountains several times to see the quaking aspens and then enjoyed ham sandwiches that I made,” she said.
“Danny said they were the best,” she said. “We took Island Packers Cruises out to Santa Cruz Island, went on trips in Rosemary’s boat and attended a wedding in San Diego on a military base.”
It wasn’t all play, however. He had a strong sense of commitment and took care of his ailing mother.
He was a star.
Hendricks is in the care of Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary in Loma Linda. Arrangements are pending.