John Andrew Dahl

On Aug 7, 2023, John Andrew Dahl of San Clemente passed away at the age of 65. He was predeceased by his wife Melinda (Baker) Dahl, his parents: Richard Dahl, Bonnie & Paul Dyche and brother Robert Dahl. He is survived by brother Thomas Dahl, close cousins especially Annette Dahl, his former wife Janet Henderson, niece, nephews, goddaughter Jennetta Shopp, and many great friends and colleagues.

John’s passion for travel took him to many places around the world, but his hometown of Ramona, CA remained a special place in his heart. He graduated from Ramona High School - Class of 1975, where he was Varsity football captain, and played varsity in baseball, basketball, and Track & Field.

In high school, John was student body president and VP & Treasurer, demonstrating his love of finances even at an early age. He attended Mira Costa College where he made the Dean’s List, lettered in baseball, and coached High School Football. In 2013 John achieved a lifelong goal and completed his BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology.

John worked at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Unit 1 in the Operations department from 1980 until 1993. He earned his Reactor Operator (RO) License and then his Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license where with his SRO, he worked as a Control Room Supervisor and then as an Operations Shift Manager (SM). With his RO, John was the Control Operator in Training when the (industry-infamous) loss of off-site power & water hammer event occurred in November of 1985. John was the SM on shift when Unit 1 was shutdown for the last time on November 30, 1992. He insisted on low-power tripping the unit as a last sign of respect to the unit that was his home for many great years. He then transitioned to Nuclear Construction, performing plant system upgrades, which ultimately led to working at Units 2/3 where he ran the Operations Test Group for a time. After obtaining his Units 2/3 SRO, he then went back on shift as a Senior Reactor Operator where he was a Control Room Supervisor and then a Shift Manager. He also worked in the Operations Training Department for a time before he retired in 2013.

John loved meeting people, watching football, hanging at the river, trips to Vegas, and a cold drink with the country music and dancing at the Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano. Months would go by with his little Toyota 4-runner jam packed with his jet-ski for his many river trips (easier than taking it out between trips!). He was exceptionally loyal to his close friends.

He leaves a large hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his stories and great sense of humor. He brought the life to the party. No matter the circumstance, you'd most always leave with a story of something funny/crazy/odd that John did while you were with him.

A celebration of John’s life may be held at a later date.

If you wish to donate in memory of John, please consider the San Clemente Animal Rescue https://petprojectfoundation.org/donate/ or the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNELYZXFBW