BY TOMAS KASSAHUN
Daniel H. Langpaap, who was one of the original principals at Clovis Unified School District, died from illness on June 28, 2017.
Langpaap joined Clovis Unified in 1960, becoming one of eight elementary school principals when the district first opened.
One of Langpaap’s lasting legacies in Clovis is his role in the development of the Clovis Unified Elementary Football Carnival.
“We have this wonderful football carnival that all the elementary schools participate in. That was his idea,” said Clovis Unified board member Ginny Hovsepian. ”He contributed to the entire community in so many ways. He’s part of the foundation on which we built this community.”
Although he was born in Honolulu on Dec. 30, 1924, Langpaap spent most of his childhood in Porterville.
After graduating from Porterville High School in 1943, Langpaap enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Langpaap fought in The Battle of the Bulge, where he spent three months in a Belgian hospital because his feet were frozen. After the war, Langpaap attended Fresno State College and graduated in 1952. He then met Darlene Neese, his wife of 65 years.
Although he considered a career in aviation, Langpaap decided to pursue a career in education.
“He was one of those wonderful people that helped build the district,” Hovsepian said. “He ended up having a wonderful life and helping the community in so many ways. We will miss him.”