Great-grandfather, founder of The Danson Restaurant

Daniel Patrick Sauter Jr., affectionately known as Dan, died June 1 at the age of 86, after a life marked by family, friendship, entrepreneurship, and service to the community he loved.

Dan was born on July 14, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois to Daniel Patrick Sauter Sr. and Betsy (Dell) Sauter. He was one of six children in a close-knit family that included four boys and two girls. He attended the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1962.

Following graduation, he worked in food service and the food industry throughout the Midwest. In the early 1970s, he moved to Claremont, where he would leave an enduring mark on the community. In October 1973, he opened the Danson Restaurant in Claremont Village. Through hard work, vision, and an unwavering commitment to hospitality, he became one of the city’s most recognizable and respected business owners.

“Over the next five decades, Dan was a pillar of the Claremont community,” his family shared.  Along with the Danson, he also owned and operated Espiau’s Mexican Restaurant in Pomona.  He later combined the traditions of Danson and Espiau’s in the Claremont Village. “His restaurants became gathering places where friendships were formed, celebrations were held, and countless memories were made,” his family said. “To many, Dan was more than a restaurateur — he was an exceptional friend, mentor, and familiar face who helped define the character of downtown Claremont.”

Even after retirement, he remained deeply engaged with the community he loved. “He was a devoted member of a morning breakfast club that met six days a week in the Village, where he enjoyed what he jokingly called ‘helping to solve the world’s problems,’” his family said. “Those gatherings reflected the qualities that endeared him to so many: his warmth, humor, wisdom, and genuine interest in people.”

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Sauter Sr.; his mother, Betsy (Dell) Sauter; his brothers, Douglas Sauter and Dennis Sauter; and his beloved son, Christopher Sauter.

He is survived by his loving wife, Zahra (Gomrokchi) Sauter; brother Dell Sauter of Newport Beach, California; sisters Elizabeth Malick of San Francisco, California, and Barbara Banks of San Antonio, Texas; children Jennifer Spence of Chicago, Illinois, Daniel (Dan) Sauter III and wife Mary (Mancina) Sauter of Huntsville, Alabama, Stephanie Sauter and husband Paul Kelly of Ireland, Alissa Sauter and partner Karl Kasa of Cleveland, Ohio, Ryan Sauter of Los Angeles, and Kristin (“Krissy”) and husband Bob Forrest of Hollywood, California.

He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Sarah (Spence) and husband Matthew Lacascia and their children Audrey and Christopher of Worcester, Massachusetts; Katie (Spence) and husband Mike Kurtzner and their children Tommy, Henry, and George of Chicago, Illinois; Molly (Spence) and husband Ryan Clark and their children Spencer and Finley of Chicago; John (“Jack”) Spence of Phoenix; Daniel Sauter IV and wife Leora (Reyhan) Sauter and their children Daniel (“Danny”) V and Emma of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Michael Sauter and wife Julia (McClure) and their children Leni and Roman of Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; Matthew Sauter and wife Olivia (Hooper) of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; John (“Jack”) Sauter of New York City; Ben Mayes of Philadelphia; Sam Sauter and wife Taylor (Lindstrom) and their children Axel and Riley of Lebanon, Tennessee; Zaya Sauter of Los Angeles; and Sydney and Idris Forrest of Hollywood, California.

“Dan’s legacy lives on not only through his family, but also through the generations of employees, customers, neighbors, and friends whose lives he touched,” his family said. “His commitment to community, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his gift for bringing people together helped shape Claremont for more than half a century.

“He will be remembered for his generous heart, razor-sharp mind, steadfast friendship, and deep love for family. His presence will be profoundly missed, but his impact on the community of Claremont and the people he loved will endure for generations.”

A funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 435 Berkeley Ave., Claremont, CA 91711. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery, 410 Sycamore Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.