Info /Obit - PVT Daniel George "Dan" Nate
Daniel G. Nate PVT LRRP 1968 to 1969 has died; 2 August 2026. He was a true combat hero and storied family man. Be sure to read the story of the Iron Triangle Rescue March 1968, his personal letters to the Centaurs and Centaur Pilot Jim Filiatreault in the year 2000. The very well written obituary below will give you an idea of what a truly wonderfull man he was.
Obituary:
Dan Nate was so indestructible throughout his life that his passing is completely out of character. His abdomen bore a scar from a war wound stitched together with a boot lace. His time as a police officer in Camden included helping quell a shootout between rival gangs. He chose Krazy Glue over stitches before it was a thing.
Still, to the disbelief of family and friends, Daniel George Nate Sr., 78, of Woodbury Heights, NJ, passed away on August 2, 2026. He was a big man with a bigger heart.
Dan volunteered to fight in the Vietnam War. A purple heart recipient who was awarded the Bronze Star for his combat service as a member of the U.S. Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, he served as a resource to fellow veterans for years.
After the Army, Dan served as a police officer in Camden, NJ, where he met Barbara, the love of his life. Dan and Barb went on to build a relationship grounded in love, partnership, and countless shared memories. With Dan’s skills and Barb’s passion for gardening, they spent years turning their old house into a welcoming home, including a beautiful backyard pond where they shared coffee and conversation.
Dan was a gifted craftsman whose creativity could be seen in everything he built. He found joy in woodworking, creating beautiful birdhouses, carving animals, and turning simple pieces of wood into works of art.
Dan was the mastermind behind a pumpkin carving held annually just before Halloween for more than three decades. Before guests arrived, Dan would ensure the pumpkins were gutted from the bottom to enable the finished jack-o-lanterns to be positioned atop Christmas light-lined racks that he built for the purpose. The front-porch display attracted grade-school tours by day and slowed traffic by night.
He was also a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast. Riding his Harley brought him freedom and happiness, and the friendships he made through the motorcycle community became an important part of his life. As a member of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club, he found camaraderie among fellow veterans and riders who shared his values of loyalty, service, and brotherhood.
Dan loved people. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and often did. He had a gift for storytelling, with an endless collection of humorous, oftentimes astonishing, stories. His booming personality, love of laughter, and genuine interest in others made him unforgettable.
Dan wasn’t one to brag, unless it was about his children or grandchildren. Family was a great source of pride and happiness for Dan, particularly in his later years as younger family members began marking life’s milestones. Following the birth of his great-grandson Nolan during what would be the final weeks of his life, Dan made a point to repeat Nolan’s name aloud as if to commit it to memory.
Dan is survived by his wife, Barbara Nate (nee Wittenberger); his children, Christopher Aregood (Teresa), Heather Collins (Michael), Dan Nate, Jr. (Stacey) and son-in-law Domenick. He was the loving grandfather of Megan, Sarah, Abby, Ryan, Jack, Sam, Mason and Marley, and great grandfather to Jacqueline and Nolan. He is also survived by his siblings David Nate (Terry), and Cathy Driscoll (Dan) and honorary sister, Mary Morse (Mike).
Dan is predeceased by his parents, Francis and Jean Marie Nate; his daughter Laurie McGonigle and brother Dennis Nate.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ. Viewing will be held from 10:00am until 12:00pm, with funeral ceremony starting at 12:00pm. Interment will be at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at t2t.org/donate or Vietnam Veterans of America at vva.org/donate-2/ in his honor.
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