Beloved Pennsylvania Denton Hill Ski Patroller Daniel “Danny” Shipe died peacefully on August 22, 2025, at the Gatehouse Family Hospice in Williamsport, PA, surrounded by loving family and friends, following an 18-month courageous struggle with cancer.
Daniel Brosius Shipe was born in Philadelphia on October 13, 1955, the son of Robert Amos and Virginia (Burns) Shipe. His love of the great outdoors first developed during outings with his family in Central Pennsylvania, New England, and Canada.
Danny was a UPS career employee for thirty-five years. An added benefit was that all of the walking and steps in and out of the UPS truck kept his skiing quads in shape. In addition to skiing, Danny’s passions included gardening, music, and other outdoor sports including fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking.
Danny’s journey to becoming an avid cross-country and excellent downhill skier began during his college years. In 1989, he joined the Denton Hill Ski Patrol, serving for a total of 37 years, most recently through the NSP Alumni Program. He will be remembered for his passionate commitment to the Denton Hill Ski Patrol and its patrons.
He had a calming persona, and when he took care of someone during an incident, it was like your best friend had shown up to help. Additionally, Danny was seen as a leader within the patrol, having led or participated in multiple committees and activities.
He often helped with teaching OEC classes, instructed during the annual lift evac practices, and led candidates and his fellow patrollers through skiing and toboggan drills and annual training. He helped with mountain bike patrolling and fundraising as well.
Finally, when reports of a distressed cross-country skier were received, he’d change into his cross-country gear and head out for the rescue. Danny was awarded various local, regional, and national NSP awards, including: The DHSP Exemplary Service Award (2005-2010), an NSP Blue Merit Start (2010), the Eastern Division Patroller Achievement Award (2013), and the DHSP Quarter Century Club Award (1989-2014).
In addition to his love of skiing, Danny was best-known in Tioga County, PA, and beyond as a musician. A skilled guitarist, banjo player, and song writer with a rich baritone voice, he was a central figure in four bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, and folk bands: North Fork, Burnt Toast, Hickory Project, and Drowsy Maggie. In the last nine years he sang in a folk duet with Molly Cary.
With Burnt Toast and especially with Hickory Project, Danny performed to widespread acclaim in festivals across the U.S., in Ireland, Europe, and Australia, even playing a concert at the Kennedy Center.
He is survived by his wife Pamela Walker Shipe of Mansfield, PA, whom he married in 1993. She continues to be an ardent supporter of the Denton Hill Ski Patrol and earned the Angel Award multiple times.
Danny will be missed by all at Denton Hill. Those who knew him best knew his favorite saying when the snow was deep: “No friends on a powder day!” With a smile on his face, he would yell, “Keep up if you can!” and off he would go.
