Coach Nap.

What a memory !! Such a motivator of young men !!

He pushed us all to succeed and be our best.

I will always remember the coach of the "Wild Bunch".

Allan Bird

I worked for Dan @ Herman Brown as his ad min, what a terrific boss! I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my husband unexpectedly 4-1/2 years ago and while grief is different for everyone, I totally understand the road you will be traveling. Deepest condolences to the entire family. Lots of laughs shared with Dan at work.

It was 1968 when my parents and I were visiting Aunt Vi and Uncle Leonard in Iowa City for Thanksgiving. During a TV Football game, my eldest cousin, Daniel, taught me how to light a fart. At 12 years old, I thought he was the coolest guy on earth. Tonight, my dad Chuck and I will raise a Belvedere shot to our great family times with the Napierala clan. Dan lives on in our memories and is now in The Church Triumphant. May the Lord Bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine down on you and grant you His Peace.

Our deepest sympathies to all in the Napierala families, Terry and I hardly knew you, yet we now share the childhood home of Daniel, we bought it from his parents in 1985 and are just the 2nd homeowners to have ever lived at 23 Glendale Ct.

And what a sad and joyous moment on Friday when a carload of family members stopped by see if we’d let them take a look at the yard, so they could reminisce of childhood memories! Well, we loved to show them inside as well,even the old laundry shoot to the basement still exits.

Thankyou for ringing the doorbell Matt, we know Dad and sisters home was full of love! And of course it still is.

All the very best to the Napierala’s as you celebrate Daniels life, and so sorry for your loss.

Mark and Terry Huisenga

I was shocked when Mike Palm sent me notice of Coach Nap's passing. I'm so sorry, but looking back, Dan was the great influencer of young men! I truly think his inputs on my behalf to the football coaches at Air Force allowed me to receive an appointment to the Air Force Academy. I'm forever grateful! I remember those weight work outs on school day mornings, film in Coach's basement and coming in to Kris Kringle's Kitchen. I think he was like Norm on "Cheers"...everybody knew and loved Coach Napierala!

Becky, I am so sorry to learn of Dan's passing. I was actually looking through the obits to find out about someone else and happened to see this. I just wanted to connect and tell you that my heart goes out to you. I know how tough it is to lose our husbands and there are no words that will truly comfort you at this time. It will certainly be tough and our lives are never the same, but it does get better. I wish strength and peace to you and your family as you go through this time of loss.

Diane Rinehart

Favorite memories of Nap was making girls change tires while guys watched in drivers Ed, and giving an F to my friend , Jill, who swerved for a mouse on the road to Battle Creek. He had to close the newspaper and slammed on his brake. Love to his family...thanks Becky for other great memories!

Dan was an unforgettable guy. He was our football coach in high school and made some great memories for the class of 73. Personally I knew him from Gomaco and the IG Country Club. Dan was one of a kind and had a way of making people feel special. To his wonderful family my deepest sympathy. My thoughts are with you. I am sad.

Nap took me under his wing after my freshman year. He pushed me to be my best. Nap was a great father, husband, friend & coach. Nap will truly be missed by all! Becky, you & the kids have my deepest sympathy! Von McCormick

Playing for Coach was a real challenge. As Bellicheck would tell you there are no days off. We never had any days off. So when I was a Senior, Coach moved me to pulling guard. A pulling guard with 4.4 second speed as a pulling guard. It worked. We went from 0- 9 our junior season to conference champ the next year the wild bunch). We shared many memories at our 20th class reunion. Becky, as you know you taught me how to be an artist and now in my free time I still am. Thank you for all you both gave me .Coach was a wonderful man. May he rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Rick Goetting

Class of 77

rick@farmboystuff.com

I got to know Dan very well, he was the first head football coach that I got to be an assistant coach to. We had some great times together at practice and all the games we won and lost together. Dan taught me so much about coaching young me on and off the football field.

I got to coach Matt his oldest son in football, basketball and track, what a great young man and talented athlete.

I have the greatest respect for Dan, he told me “I wouldn’t have wanted anybody else coach my son”

Becky, Valerie and I want to tell how sorry we are for your loss. I can still hear your great laugh Becky, God Bless you and your family.

Love you Dan and Becky

Dean and Valerie Cadwell

Becky, it sounds like Dan had a wonderful sense of humor! I am so sorry for your loss and wish you comfort and peace.

Sincerely, Jane Magneson

Becky, Matt, Tony, and Suzy. My deepest condolences.

Dan (Pop) was my Father-In-Law for 30 years. What an absolute privilege it has been being his Daughter-In-Law. He lovingly called me, “Berli”. Pop had a larger-than-life presence. So many wonderful memories of pool parties, Hawkeye football games, conversation, and libations. Such a proud, kind, loving, fun, and great man. Love you Pop. I am very proud to be a Napierala. Thank you. You are greatly and dearly missed. Kimberli (Matt) Napierala

Becky, Tony, Matt, Mary Suzanne, and family,

Ann and I wish to express our deepest sympathies to you all. Dan was a great friend, and many will miss him. GOD’s blessings to the entire family.

Dan was selling equipment for GOMACO when I started in the R&D engineering department. He was the first GOMACO Sales Rep I ever traveled with and I will always remember his knack for dealing with customers. No special request by the customer was considered impossible by Dan. He had confidence in the engineers to figure out how to make it work and of course we had to; because he sold it.

I learned so much from Dan and the mutual respect and laughter we shared was the best.

Kevin & Ann Klein

Ida Grove

Becky,Suzy and the rest of the family:So sorry to hear of Dan,s sudden death.Peace and strength to all.

Dick and Deb Irvin

Becky, Matt, Tony, Sufi and all the Napierala family -

Nap will be so missed by all! Tim will never forgot the chalk breaking as Nap enthusiastically drove home a point as he coached City High FB. We had so many great times when Becky and Nap moved back to IC. We think of those times often….it always ends in laughs. Dan was a great guy and definitely left a mark with everyone he touched. May Dan Rest In Peace. Hugs to you all!

I met Nap back in 1985 when I started working for GOMACO as a sales trainee. He kidded me a lot about the terrible clothes I wore and my lack of organization. He suggested buying a book called Dress for Success and told me many times, “Organization is the key to success.” I still use the quote often and I think my clothes have improved! Nap changed my life! He was the one that really got me excited to be in sales. He taught me how to sell and how to be a people person! But most importantly, he taught me to work hard, have fun along the way and laugh every day. My condolences to Becky, Matt, Tony and the rest of the family.

Bob Conaway

Nap came to IG when I was a sophomore. He had a tough job ahead of him. IG had not had a winning season for many years. He had to change the culture, the mind set of IG FB. A couple of things that he taught us and that I have tried to hold true to throughout my life and if you played for Nap you'll remember seeing posters and letters and T-shirts to remind us of PRIDE: Not a boastful type, but one of self-confidence with integrity, doing what is right on and off the field (life). The other was PAY the PRICE: How bad do you want it, have you worked hard enough that you won't give up. This may be a little lengthy but these are things that were drilled into my head playing for Nap, they have served me well, Thanks Coach Nap.

I grew up in the same neighborhood as the Napieralas. As a young kid I looked up to Dan when he played football at city High. I was lucky to have him as our line coach during my senior year at City High. I still remember him "coaching" me when I made a mistake. He was a sincere and enthusiastic person. I lost track of coach Dan but I thought of him from time to time and appreciated his influence.

I offer my condolences to the Napieralas family.

We lived across the street from him and his parents and family on Glendale Court as kids. He was always so nice to me, his little neighbor kid.

I worked with Dan for 13 years and found him to be a great guy and he raised wonderful children. He was missed when he left Ida Grove. My sympathy to Becky and his children. May he rest in peace.