Dan O. Callaghan, 89, Summersville, WV, was born June 24, 1935, in Richwood, and peacefully passed on August 4, 2024, after living a full and robust life. He was a lawyer, a licensed pilot, an avid runner and rose gardener, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and loyal friend. Dan never met a stranger, and proudly claimed that he was from West "By God" Virginia on his many travels.

He had a great zest for life, always responding "never had it better" when asked how he was doing. He found humor in most things and was quick with a laugh.

Dan graduated from Richwood High School where he was the valedictorian of the class of 1953. He attended the University of Virginia majoring in business. Upon graduation in 1957, Dan served two years in the United States Navy in Rhode Island where had the opportunity to serve as the Chief Officer in Charge and Captain of the destroyer battleship USS Purdy. Upon completion of his military service, he attended the University of Virginia Law School, graduating in 1962.

While at UVA, he made many lifelong friendships, and he also met his bride, Margaret Louise (Errington) Callaghan, "Peg." They married in 1958, while he was in the Navy, and she began her career as a nurse. When she passed away in 2022, they had been married for 64 years.

Dan and Peg returned to Richwood, Dan's hometown, where he joined his father in practicing law. There they raised their two sons Michael O. Callaghan, a lawyer in Charleston, WV, and the Honorable Stephen O. Callaghan, the sitting WV 28th Circuit Court Judge. Eventually they moved to Summersville.

Dan was often referred to as a "lawyer's lawyer" as he proudly loved and served the legal profession his entire life. Among his many accomplishments, he was the President of the West Virginia State Bar, a Fellow of the West Virginia Bar Association and a Fellow of the American Bar Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He also served on the Governing Board of the West Virginia University College of Law.

Dan was the driving force for forming the Attorney Liability Protection Society (ALPS), which is an attorney malpractice insurance company that remains in operation today, insuring thousands of lawyers across the country in low population states like West Virginia.

Outside of the legal profession, Dan was a longtime Chairman of the Board of Cherry River National Bank in Richwood. He was elected and served on the Nicholas County Board of Education.

Dan was always quick to raise a glass and offer a toast, usually a bawdy Irish blessing. Now we offer a final toast to him: "May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."

He is survived by his two sons, Michael O. Callaghan (Cheri) of Charleston, and Stephen O Callaghan (Julia) of Summersville, grandchildren Megan Callaghan (James) Bailey of Charleston,  Molly (Ansh) Kumar of Norfolk, VA, Matthew O. Callaghan of Charleston, Samuel (Maddie) Montgomery of Charlotte, NC, Caroline Montgomery of Charlotte, NC, Meredith Montgomery of Morgantown, and Brooks Brabban O. Callaghan of Summersville,  and two great-grandchildren, James Michael "Jack" Bailey and Henry George Bailey of Charleston,  his brother-in-law Kenneth W. Morrison of Ferrisburgh, VT and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Louise (Errington) Callaghan (1936-2022) parents Brooks Bailey Callaghan (1906-1983) and Rebecca (Myers) Callaghan (1904-1995) of Richwood, and his sister Nan (Callaghan) Morrison (1937-2018) of Ferrisburgh, VT.

The family thanks Margaret and her family, Dan's long-term caregiver, for her dedication and compassion in Dan's later years.

At Dan's request, there will be no scheduled service. Instead, he requested that contributions be made to his beloved alma mater, the University of Virginia, https://giving.virginia.edu/ways-to-give.

The Waters Funeral Chapel in Summersville was in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences: watersfuneralchapel.com