Albert Dane Nielsen Jr.

                        The Most Interesting Man in the World

Albert Dane Nielsen Jr. passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, in San Diego, California—though “peaceful” was probably the only slow thing about him.

If we tried to capture every wild, ridiculous, and jaw-dropping adventure Dane packed into one life, we’d need several volumes and at least three warnings about adult content. So consider these cliff notes —aka the PG-13 version.

Before the age of 10 Dane was building go-carts and race cars alongside his dad, Albert, at Nielsen’s Garage in San Antonio, Texas. Albert & Dane built Debbie (Dane’s sister) her first car together in that very garage. Given that Albert was a former Race Car Driver & National Championship Winner, naturally it wasn’t long until little Dane was behind the wheel of a suped-up go kart and winning race after race. As Dane’s need for speed grew, so did the size of the cars he raced. While Dane liked winning on the track, he loved winning on the street. “Maybe some parts illegal, maybe some not, then going down and smokin the other guys…” Dad. Again, the PG part of the story ends here… Dane was a natural behind the wheel, almost as if it was in his DNA ;). )

He had an almost spooky understanding of machines. Even when his body slowed down, his brain didn’t. Until the end, he could troubleshoot car and home problems faster than most people—something that frequently blew the minds of the Home Depot staff, which was so fun to watch.

Eventually, 200 mph on land wasn’t enough. So Dane took to the skies. He didn’t just skydive—he led a 40-person competitive skydiving formation team called Kaleidoscope. They traveled the world, competing and winning with thousands of jumps and hundreds of trophies. He was in his element—falling through the sky with his friends, throwing horseshoe tournaments in between, and racking up stories we absolutely cannot publish here without legal review. Let’s just say they had a good f*ing time, both competing and not. Referring to his many covert adventures base jumping off tall city buildings and into canyons: “What’s the point of knowing you can jump off buildings and not do it. Eeehhh, so maybe it was illegal. You just don’t be a dummy and get caught” Dad. He loved to live on the edge and never took it for granted.

Then, like something out of a romantic comedy with a really good soundtrack, Dane met Laurie. She was a nurse, he was... well, smitten. He showed up at her hospital with flowers and a handmade card, and five months later—yes, five—they were married at a small chapel on the San Antonio River Walk. The man who “would never get married” became the guy you couldn’t pull his lips away from Laurie's. They were that couple—always kissing, always laughing, always a little nauseating (in the best way). Their love was the real deal. Soul mates don’t end up together in every life, but that doesn’t mean they aren't soul mates.

Then came Olivia Jene Nielsen—born in August 1984, and about as subtle as the family she was born into. Before Olivia, Dane and Laurie spent their time racing sailboats, throwing epic horseshoe tournaments (with wildly inappropriate team names), and hosting legendary parties. After Olivia, things got even better. The first picture of Dane holding her says it all—completely in love, totally outmatched. He brought three red roses to the hospital: one for Laurie, one for Olivia, and one for himself. Small but mighty family.

While Olivia fit right in with the party, it was time for Dane to hang up the parachute and put on a jacket and tie. He started his job at USAA that same year and continued to work there until his retirement. Dane started at USAA in 1984 as a claims adjuster and because of his knowledge, natural ability to lead, and drive, he worked his way to leading teams across the US. People that have worked for him note Dane as not just a mentor, but a guide. A person you could trust. A leader first. He made an impact on many lives at USAA, and many people have reached out with their stories about Dane’s impact. Dane was a wise and good friend.

In 1990, USAA moved the family to Colorado. Within a week, Dane and Lauire had skis on Olivia, tied a rope around her waist, and taught her how to ski—because why waste time? Olivia and Dane later learned to snowboard together, which, surprise: he mastered immediately and, even more predictably, was always faster.

Teenage years came with the usual drama, but Dane leaned into it. Their house became the go-to hangout. He was the only dad on cheerleading trips, proudly wore the puffy-painted orange team shirts, and always showed up—tournaments, games, performances, you name it. He was that dad. When Olivia screwed up (and she did), there was never yelling. Just long-winded, thoughtful life lessons—followed by Olivia hearing him laughing about her shenanigans on the phone five minutes later.

He later drove Olivia and her best friend, Trina, across the country to start their post-college lives in San Diego. He bought them beach cruisers, took them to dinner, and with a big smile, said, “Good luck.” No drama. Just full belief they’d figure it out. He knew that it was time for Olivia to fly on her own.

Around this time, he also rediscovered Harley-Davidsons and Jeeps. Once Olivia hit legal driving age, Dane hit the road more. His Fat Boy Harley could be heard from miles away—which was both thrilling and wildly embarrassing to his teenage daughter. He retired early the year Olivia graduated High School, moved back to Texas to be near his dad, and worked part-time at Javelina Harley Davidson—for the community, the stories, and, of course, the discounted parts. He spent years riding, going to rallies, and making good friends along that way.

Then came Dane’s motorcycle accident. Dane had a life changing motorcycle accident in October of 2007. Suffering a stroke while riding his Harley, Dane was hospitalized for 18 months with various injuries and a permanent traumatic brain injury. Dane, much to doctors' surprise, not only survived the accident but would go on to live independently again. The doctors credit the family - his mother, his sister, his daughter, his ex-wife, and his niece - being by Dane’s side 24 hours of those 18 months. The family credits Dane’s relentless will to live and be independent.

After much hard work in rehab by Dane, with help, he was able to finish building his home that he started years earlier. At first Dane could only sit and watch. It was not long before the strong will of Dane had him scaring the shit out of everyone as he climbed up ladders, installed electrical, and drilled sightings. There was no stopping this man, he was unstoppable. He completed his home and moved in where he created a dream workshop full of tools and a backyard that was the envy of the neighbors. He would walk 6 miles a day on the golf course ;) and he was so happy there, his home is his happy place.

Marrying off his only daughter and defying medical odds to dance with her at her wedding, holding his only granddaughter and spoiling her rotten, holding Lauries hand and giggling watching Olivia and Jim raise Alyla. And finally trusting someone enough other than himself, Jim, to take care of Olivia, Alyla, and Laurie. I didn’t know it then, but maybe that is what he was fighting for. I’m so thankful my dad never gave up, never stopped fighting and defying odds until he was at peace, and left this world with no regrets. No crumbs as the kids would say.

After his TBI, Dane lived and thrived for 9 years longer than his doctors predicted. He spent the last 7 months of his life in San Diego, California - living a block away from his daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law. While Dane did not like to be cooped up or monitored at his new place of residence, he of course found ways to bend the rules and make the staff love him, getting away with shit , most of the time ;) Dane liked to go anywhere we were going, and of course, go out to eat - which no one objected to. Alyla and Dane shared a love of ice cream and she would collect his order and deliver it to him - he loved the ice cream and getting to know Alyla better. Dane was able to spend Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and laughing filled dinners with Jim & Olivia’s extended California Framily. He hadn’t been that free or laughed that hard, or ordered a margarita!, in years and we’re so thankful we were there for it.

We miss him every day. But there’s comfort in knowing Dane’s out there now—probably skydiving off a cloud or racing a comet, probably flipping the bird to anyone who told him to slow down.

Rest in peace, Dane.

The Most Interesting Man in the World.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/dane-nielsen/obituary/

Copy