Daniel "Dan" Marshall Rector

Daniel Marshall Rector, 79, of Pismo Beach, California, passed away on April 6, 2026 at Marian Regional Medical Center with his loving sister at his bedside.  Dan was born October 24th, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona, the son of Marshall Rector and Margaret Eileen (Egan) Rector.

Dan (Danny) grew up in Oceanside, California and graduated from Oceanside High School, Class of 1964. He then went on to earn an AA in Math and Science at Mira Costa College in 1966; then Dan proceeded to San Diego State University - School of Engineering - earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in January 1969.  (Dan would later, after the Military, further his education at Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, MBA Program 1974-1975.)

Dan joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and served as a Systems Analyst and Programmer stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and was honorably discharged in 1971.  During his Army days Dan was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Sharpshooter-Rifle Badge.

Dan worked throughout his life at several corporations all within the emerging Computer Engineering world, and happily found his way to Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Diablo Power Plant, as IT Supervisor where, after many years, he retired in 2014. Dan so enjoyed working with such wonderful people at Diablo! 

In his younger days growing up in Southern California, Dan was an avid surfer at a time when the surfboards were long and wooden.  He had knots on both knees to prove it.  Later Dan enjoyed a trip now and then to Vegas for good food and a little cards, often meeting up with family members. 

Remaining to cherish Danny's memory are his sister, Marsha Eileen Klein of Covington, Louisiana, and his niece, Kerry Lynn Klein and her husband, Robert Dye, of New Orleans, Louisiana.  

Preceding Danny in death are his parents, Margaret Eileen Rector and Marshall Rector, of Oceanside, California; and his nephew, Marshall Bernard Klein of Mandeville, Louisiana.

Dan was a member of the Catholic Church both by baptism and by choice, and lived his life with kindness and good will toward others. Danny took such kind, patient loving care of our mother after our father passed away years earlier, that God will give him a special place in heaven.  We will miss Danny so greatly.  Danny's cremains will be laid to rest in the Old Mission Catholic Cemetery, San Luis Obispo.  Memorial donations may be directed to the American Heart Association, or by having a Mass intention said in his memory at your Catholic Church.

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