Bristol Bay loses a community hero in ‘true Alaskan’ Salmon

CHRISTINA SALMON

March 20, 2008 at 9:58AM AKST

For The Bristol BayTimes

Daniel Robert Salmon, who died Feb. 27, 2008, in a plane crash on his way home to Igiugig from Anchorage, left this world doing what he loved most – flying.

"I’ve done everything I’ve ever wanted to do," Salmon often remarked. He raised a family of five and built a strong, sustainable community invested in education and the future.

Salmon was a generous leader in every sense of the word. He tirelessly served the people of Bristol Bay, whether on search and rescue missions, serving on various local committees or lending advice when called upon, he was devoted to the education of Igiugig’s youth and energetically involved himself in all school activities.

Salmon like many Alaska residents came to the Last Frontier in his early adulthood, drawn by his love for wildlife and the outdoors.

He was born Aug. 4, 1958, in Penfield, N.Y. to Robert and Margery Salmon. He moved to Alaska in August 1982 to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Salmon, originally an English name, would suit him very well in his new state.

He discovered Igiugig when he was stationed on the Kvichak River while working for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game monitoring salmon stock and smolt and salmon counting. It was a tiny village, relying solely on seasonal subsistence.

Salmon wore many hats in Igiugig, not only fulfilling his personal goals but engaging his time locally and regionally. He served as the Igiugig Village Council tribal administrator and Igiugig Native Corp. trespass officer from 1985 to 2008.

He held a Bristol Bay drift boat permit and owned the Igiugig Boarding House and Igiugig Transport. He also performed airport maintenance for the state of Alaska.

Regionally, Salmon served as a Lake and Peninsula Borough assemblyman, was on the local school advisory committee, served as an alternate on the Iliamna Lake Fish and Game Advisory Committee and was operations manager for Iliamna Lake Contractors.

In 2004, he received a Denali Commission award for his exceptional commitment to wise resource allocation and for founding a sustainable community.

Although he worked hard, Salmon always spent quality time with his family, grandsons and friends. He loved to spend time in the outdoors as well as flying, trapping, poker, fishing and boating. He also liked to monitor the stock market and collect guns.

He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Julia Olympic-Salmon, children, Christina, son-in-law Jack Wassillie, AlexAnna, Tanya Jo, Jonathan and Jeremy Salmon; grandchildren Aiden and Keilan Wassillie, his mother Margery Salmon, brother Bobby Salmon and sister and brother-in-law Mary Jo S. and Matthew Korona. Nieces include Stephanie and Katharine Korona and Leah Salmon. Nephews are Kevin Olympic and Leif Talarik Richards. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Salmon.