Resident of San Luis Obispo

 Daniel David Hruby, an accomplished journalist, author, editor, and sports columnist, whose career spanned more than five decades, died on Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Luis Obispo, California. He was 96 years old.

Dan was born on November 16, 1929, in North Bend, Nebraska, and was raised in Grand Island. His family moved to California in 1945, and he attended Santa Clara High School, where he met Geraldine Gonçalves, his future wife of 75 years. Upon retirement, Dan and Gerry moved to Avila Beach and then to San Luis Obispo.

Dan attended Colorado College and completed his degree with amajor in Journalism and aminor in English at San Jose State University. He wrote for the San Jose State Spartan Daily while in college. His career at the San Jose Mercury News started when he answered a phone request to work for summer vacation relief. Guided by a genuine passion for journalism, Dan used his gifts as a writer to craft a successful career in reporting, bringing intelligence, clarity, and heart to every story he told. In his 45 years with the newspaper, his assignments included government, court, police, and school stories as well as sports.

In 1958, Dan became the newspaper’s first major league writer covering the San Francisco Giants, traveling with the team in small propeller planes. Dan was the Sports Editor and wrote a column entitled “Out on a Limb.” He had the opportunity to cover eight Olympics, innumerable World Series, Super Bowls, Kentucky Derbys, British Opens, and championship golf tournaments. He was the first person to break the story of the famous pitcher Sandy Koufax’s retirement.

Dan served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a counterintelligence agent at Fort Holabird in Maryland.

He authored "Mines to Medicine" in 1965, a History of the Pioneering Physicians of Santa Clara Valley, and was honored by the city for his contribution to its historical heritage.

A lifetime athlete, he excelled at baseball and golf. Dan will be remembered for his talent, intelligence, kindness, wit, and sense of humor. Hewas agentleman in the true sense of the word.

At the center of Dan’s life was a profound love for family.

It was through unwavering devotion to those he cherished that he built the true foundation of a life beautifully and well lived.

Dan is survived by his wife Geraldine Marie Hruby, daughters Jane (Hruby) Hind (Greg), Susan (Hruby) Waxman (Richard), grand-daughters Meegan Hind (Mike Vendetti), Kirsten Hind, great- granddaughters Emerson Vendetti and Avery Vendetti, sister Rita Jean (Hruby) Gonzalez, sister- in-law Marlene Heuck; and many nieces and nephews.