Daniel James Hegeman, age 76, was surrounded by loved ones when he passed away peacefully at home in Rutherfordton, NC, on Thursday, October 31, 2024. He was a native of Port Washington, NY, and was born on August 8, 1948, to the late William Davis Hegeman and Lorene Edna Clayton.

Dan's love of flying began the day he took his first plane ride in a single engine Cessna when he was 11 years old in Rhinebeck, NY. From there, Dan went on to pilot Cobra helicopters during Vietnam as a Chief Warrant Officer 2 with the United States Army's Alpha 2nd of the 20th, 1st Cavalry Division. After the war, he continued to fly helicopters as a corporate pilot for the Savin Corporation, then corporate jets for Manufacturers Hanover Bank before becoming a commercial airline pilot for TWA and American Airlines.

During his time with TWA, Dan was an essential part of their Critical Incident Response, a program that would effectively handle any major crisis involving the airline, including the tragic impacts of 9/11.

In 1999, Dan alongside his wife Lynn, moved to Rutherfordton, NC, becoming the owners and operators of the historic Carrier Houses Bed and Breakfast. He was extremely involved in his community and was a faithful member of the Rutherford Church of Christ. Dan was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club of Rutherfordton, serving 2 terms as president. He was a board member of the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority and the RHI Legacy Foundation, as well as the original organizer of the Rutherford County Salute to Veterans event where he commissioned a Cobra helicopter to be honorably displayed on the courthouse lawn. This was inspired by the helicopters he flew during the Vietnam war.

Dan also volunteered as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America and served the Make-A-Wish Foundation through fundraisers to fulfill wishes.

He had an array of hobbies over the years from collecting model trains, sailing and bee keeping, eventually running a homegrown honey brand known as "Hegeman's Apiary".

Dan was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard Hegeman and Clayton Kuegler.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 36 years, Lynn Hegeman; his daughter, Jennifer Hegeman and her husband James Currier; his son, Michael Hegeman and his wife Amelia; and his six grandchildren, Dakota and Colin Currier, along with Emma, Ronan, Riley, and Grayson Hegeman; as well as his brother Bill Hegeman and his wife Carmen and many nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be Tuesday November 5, 2024, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Rutherford Church of Christ. The funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. at the church with Jim Hobbs officiating. The Rutherford County Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Interment will be Wednesday November 6, 2024, at 11:45 A.M. in Salisbury, NC, at the Salisbury National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Disabled American Veterans or American Cancer Society.

McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory in charge of arrangements.