Danny Bearer, a pioneer and Hall of Famer in the sport of skateboarding in the mid-1960s, was found dead of heart failure in his Santa Monica apartment on Sunday evening, September 27. He was 59. Son of Patty and Daniel F. Bearer II, Danny was born on January 5, 1950, at Santa Monica Hospital. He attended St. Joan of Arc School for two years, then moved to the Palisades, where he attended Corpus Christi School, Paul Revere Junior High and Palisades High (class of 1968). He attended Santa Monica College, then spent time at both UC Santa Barbara and UCLA. Danny was a perennial all-star in football, basketball and baseball throughout his youth, and was runner-up in the L.A. Recreation and Parks tennis championship at the age of 12. But by the time he reached high school, he was so passionate about surfing and skating that it was bantered about that he ‘majored in surfing’ at PaliHi. At 14, Danny was selected as an original member of the Hobie Surf and Skateboard team when it began in Dana Point. The Hobie Team toured the U.S. in the summer of 1964, staging exhibitions with tricks and stunts in Texas, New York, and all along the eastern seaboard, performing for crowds, many of whom had never seen skateboards before. Danny became the first International Skateboard Champion when he won the initial competition in Anaheim in 1965.’He then achieved the rank of 17th in the world of surfing, competing in local beach contests up and down the California coast into the early ’70s.’He was rewarded for his exploits when he was inducted into the Skateboard Hall of Fame in Simi Valley. Danny was known for his fluid, flashy style on the old clay wheels that ushered in the sport. His ocean-bleached blonde hair and blue eyes were always a hit with the girls, but his passion was focused on just one: Janet Freeman of Brentwood. From his early high school years, she was the love of his life, and although they never married, they stayed the closest of friends until her passing two years ago. ‘ Danny donated much of his time assisting the homeless and needy in and around Santa Monica. Step Up on Second, a center for people in need, is where he focused his energy and where he would wish to leave his legacy. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Step Up on Second, 1328 Second Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Danny is survived by his mother Patty and stepfather George Burns, both longtime Palisadians; his father, Daniel F. Bearer II of Burns, Oregon; and siblings Wendy Bull of Burns, Oregon, Tim Bearer of Calabasas, and Suzy Pion of Pacific Palisades. His stepbrothers are George Burns, Jr. of Manhattan Beach, Gene Burns of Las Vegas, Steve Burns of Petaluma, and Marty Burns of San Juan Capistrano. His stepsister, Heather Skeen, resides in Encinitas. Family and friends will miss Danny Bearer’s big heart and generous nature.
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