Daniel J. "Dan" Stevens

Daniel J. “Dan” Stevens, 79, of La Plata, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at the MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 18, 1946 in Leonardtown, Maryland, he was the son of the late Robert Alexander Stevens and Marion Virginia (Milstead) Stevens. He was raised on the family tobacco/crop farm in Hermanville, and was active in 4H, winning State Awards showing hogs. In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by his brother, John Robert Stevens. Dan is survived by his wife Barbara “Bobbi” (Nelson) Stevens; sons Matthew Daniel Stevens and his wife Heather Lynn Stevens, Philip Sean Stevens and his wife Molly Baylinson Stevens; grandchildren Allyson, Emily, Marilyn, Shelby Danielle, Lincoln, and Luke. At age 16, Dan started volunteering at the Lexington Park Volunteer Fire Department (now the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department) alongside with his father. He later began volunteering with the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department in 1975, moving up the ranks, serving as the Assistant Chief and was Chief for 22 years. Dan has also volunteered countless hours helping to shape the volunteer fire system in Charles County. He has been a Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Instructor for over 26 years and later as a Coordinator for MFRI in La Plata. Dan served as a board member for several organizations, including the Governor appointed Maryland Fire Rescue Education and Training Commission, Governor appointed Maryland State Fire Prevention Commission, the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board and Maryland Instructor Certification Review Board. He had been appointed to serve on the Charles County Planning and Growth Management Advisory Board. Dan was instrumental in establishing MFRI’s Fire and EMS Cadet Program and continued serving as an advisor for the program. He was instrumental in working with the State Board of Education to establish the high school fire and EMS cadet program statewide in schools. He also served on the Maryland State Firefighter’s Association Executive committee as well as the Training and Safety committees. He was MSFA Executive Committee Chairman as well. He oversaw the planning and building of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire and EMS Station 12 in Westlake. Dan has earned numerous awards for his efforts in the local fire service. Those awards include Waldorf VFD’s Firefighter of the Year in 1978, 1990, 2000, and 2009; EMT of the Year 2000; inducted into the Southern Maryland Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame in 1996; Charles County Chamber of Commerce Firefighter of the Year in 1997; awarded the Pioneer Safety Award; Archbishop Neale Council Number 2279 Firefighter of the Year in 2009; inducted into the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame in 2003; MSFA Firefighter of the Year in 2004; MSFA Robert H. Shimer Administrator of the Year Award in 2006; Russell J. Strickland Award, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Hero Award in 2006; MSFA Smith N. Stathem Jr. Memorial Safety Award in 2009; National Volunteer Fire Council’s Firefighter of the Year in 2001. Dan worked for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service for 33 years. The job took him to more than 60 countries as an International Tobacco Economist. Dan headed the tobacco and peanut price support programs for the USDA Farm Service Agency from 1999 until his retirement. Dan was also a member of the American Legion Post 82 in La Plata. He is a life member of the Alpha Zeta, and Phi Kappa Phi Agricultural Honor Fraternities with the University of Maryland where Dan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics. He later earned a Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A & I after being discharged from the United States Navy in Corpus Christi as a Lieutenant. Dan served as a Naval Aviation Navigator while in the Navy. Dan enjoyed woodworking, maintaining and showing his 1969 Mercury Cougar as well as his 1999 Ford Lightning, restoring Allis-Chalmers farm tractors and equipment; and spending time with family and friends. He also loved animals and natural wildlife. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 2PM to 4PM, and 6PM to 8PM with Fireman’s Prayers from 7PM to 8PM at the New Life Church, 9630 Shepherd’s Creek Place, La Plata, Maryland 20646. A prayer of farewell and procession from the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Co. 3, 3245 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20603, to Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Co. 3, Lexington Park, at 10AM Friday, September 19, 2025. Final Commendation Service and the Last Alarm will be held at 12:00 Noon, Friday, September 19, 2025 at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Co. 3, 46900 S. Shangri La Drive, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations made to one of the following: The Humane Society of Charles County, 71 Industrial Park Drive, Waldorf, MD 20602; the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., 3245 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD 20603; The Chief Daniel J. Stevens Educational Scholarship Award, make checks payable to Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, P. O. Box #21, La Plata, MD 20646.

Daniel J. "Dan" Stevens

April 18, 1946 - September 7, 2025