Daniel Blake Fincher, Brig Gen, US Air Force, Retired, died peacefully on September 4, 2024 after a lengthy illness. Dan was born in College Station, TX on June 1, 1955, to Donald Blake and Phena Daniel Fincher. He was a graduate of Prescott High School, the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas School of Law. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dan joined the Air Force after law school and served as a Judge Advocate General for 31 years. His stateside tours of duty included bases in Charleston, SC, Little Rock, AR, Sacramento, CA, Denver, CO, Montgomery, AL, Rapid City, SD, and the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. His overseas assignments took him to Korea, England, Germany, and the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. His distinguished career included many commendations and honors before his retirement in 2013, but his personal accolades were far less important to him than caring for and mentoring the people with whom he served.
Growing up in a military family, Dan developed a love of adventure at an early age. As a teenager, he bagged groceries at the commissary when his family lived in the Netherlands. He struck out for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal with little more than bus money and a backpack. Wanting to become acquainted with Grand Teton National Park, he spent one summer living out of his car and working in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He never deviated from his story that he went to law school primarily to get ahead of the undergraduates in line for Arkansas Razorback basketball tickets. His sense of humor and ready laugh accompanied him wherever he went.
Dan was an avid guitarist, world traveler, woodworker, and antiques collector. There was nothing he enjoyed more than immersing himself in the culture, sights, and people of new places. He derived particular pleasure from poking about international shops and market stalls haggling for a bargain or checking out the local food and music scenes. His tastes in both were refined and eclectic.
BGen Fincher is survived by his daughter, Emily Bruck-Fincher (Arthur) of Denver, Colorado and son David Blake Fincher of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His children were the delight of his life and his greatest source of pride. Other survivors include his sister, Donna Corb of Cortez, Colorado and nephew Ryan Corb of Mancos, Colorado as well as extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his father who was killed in Vietnam in 1970 and his mother who died earlier this year.
A memorial service will be held at Beard’s Funeral Chapel on September 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will occur before the service from 10-11:00. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).
It was an honor to know Dan and to benefit from his unstoppable sense of humor. Rarely does a day go by that I am not reminded of his wisdom and his unceasing search for the ironies of life.
I thank Almighty God that Dan chose to spend so much of his time on earth in an Air Force uniform, wearing the badge of a Judge Advocate. I joined up to serve with leaders of his caliber and he consistently inspired me to get better at the craft.
I pray he rests in peace, knowing that he kept his family and our Republic safe and well for so long!
I’ll never say it again, but: GO RAZORBACKS!
Thanks, Dan!
Dan set the standard high for all who follow. He accomplished much during his time on earth. He was unwavering in his commitments. A rarity in todays world. A man of integrity. Humbly leaving an unblemished legacy..standard of the Fincher family. As a son, father , husband, brother, friend & leader Dan lived a hall of fame life. I am proud to have known him as a brother-in-law. Dan modeled well ..”I have finished the course, I have fought a good fight , I have kept the faith.” Among his highest rewards will be Well done my good and faithful servant.
Very saddened to hear of General Fincher’s passing. I learned a career’s worth of wisdom in my 2 short years working under him at Ellsworth AFB, SD. Deeply devoted to the mission with a genuine concern for his people, he got the job done — with a smile — and made it look easy. Always cheerful, always a gentleman, and with an ever-present sense of humor, he was genuinely fun to be around. And he knew how to cultivate talent and give those under him a chance to grow. On a personal note, my wife and I were honored that he agreed to be the best man at our wedding in the Ellsworth base chapel, and he officiated the ceremonies at 2 of my promotions. I will never forget him. “Rest in peace, Sir…You’ve earned your reward.”
Dan Fincher may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. His leadership as a senior Air Force officer, compassion as a mentor to many, and example of resilience following challenges that would have defeated anyone else will remain in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him.
Kathy and I were fortunate to know Dan and will miss him dearly. We offer our condolences and prayers to his family and hope they understand just how much he was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace.
My cousin, Dan, played a valuable part in my life during my adolescent years. While attending law school, he would often come to our house for Sunday lunch, or perhaps for a dinner during the week. He was so funny and witty, and I am grateful to have developed much of my sense of humor just by being around him.
The most memorable thing he ever did for me was bring his friend and former Arkansas basketball standout, Marvin Delph, to our home for dinner. As an impressionable 12-year old at the time, and knowing Marvin was my sports idol, Dan thought enough of me to deliver such an unexpected surprise.
Though we have not been in contact much since he left Fayetteville, he has always had a special place in my heart.
Thanks, Dan, for being part of my family.
Much love to you,
Philip Fincher
My cousin, Dan, shared the same birthday with me although we were not born in the same year. He took great pleasure some years in calling me very early in the morning to wish me a happy birthday, ensuring he would wake me up! He was indeed well known for his wonderful sense of humor with a well timed touch of mischief in the mix. As others have commented, he always made me laugh, and we all loved him very much.
I join my brother Philip in commenting on how much our family enjoyed his company on Sundays for lunch after church. I also greatly admire and respect him for his service to this country in the Air Force. He was indeed a man of great integrity.
Dan will be missed, but I know I will see him again in heaven down the road.
I’m very saddened to learn of Gen Fincher’s passing. He was a tremendous leader & mentor, and made a significantly positive difference in my life and career.
I was lucky enough to serve as his Exec during the last year of his remarkable Air Force career, and had a front row seat to his wisdom, unfiltered perspective, and vision. He was always generous with his time, served as a patient mentor to me, and had a great sense of humor. I fondly remember him dressing up as Santa for an AFLOA holiday party (“Fincher Claus”), jokingly telling people that “I don’t like to talk about it” when they asked how he injured his hip while deployed to Afghanistan (it was actually a treadmill accident), and boasting that doctors documented that he was a “very pleasant patient” in his medical records after his hip surgery. I also won’t forget that the first time he saw me after my son was born, he exclaimed, “Dad!” and gifted us a signed, personalized pop-up book for the baby. He loved telling stories about his overseas assignments (particularly England) and other pursuits as well. Morale was great whenever he was around.
That year, I learned so much about the Air Force, JAG Corps, the art of leadership, and strategic prioritization by watching him in action. He was a great boss, and to this day, the lessons he taught me continue to influence my approach. He dramatically shaped my career for the better, as I’m sure he similarly improved the lives of a generation of JAGs before me.
My sincere condolences to his friends and family. Although he will be greatly missed, his legacy and influence will live on in those he served with.
Dan was also my cousin, and I have fond memories of him coming to our house in Fayetteville during his college and law school years. He was a kind man, and he had a good sense of humor. I also got to see him during the few years we both lived in Little Rock. He was known for being generous with his time, helping those in need. He was also skilled in the guitar, and he encouraged me in my attempts to play.
There was one piece of advice Dan gave me that turned out to be very useful. I was interested in getting to know a particular young woman better, and he suggested that I send her a card while I was away from town for the summer. I did so, and that fall we started dating, and we have now been married for almost 35 years.
I owe Dan Fincher a great deal. His leadership in the Air Force JAG Corps was a gold standard & I benefited from that as well as every military & civilian working at the Air Force Legal Operations Agency. At the high tier of leadership, Dan kept his personal humility & humor. I was sorry to see him retired from the Air Force & I’m now heartbroken he’s left us. Rest in peace & power, General Fincher.
How awfully sad. Dan was a wonderful person, a great dad, and an outstanding officer. I was privileged to work for him at Ellsworth AFB. He mentored me there and afterwards on numerous occasions. He had a wonderful smile, integrity, and sense of humor, and would always pronounce the word “pie,” as in apple pie, with a drawl and unbridled enthusiasm. What a loss for David and Emily, and his friends. I will miss him very much.
BG Fincher will never be gone. He has touched so many lives, to include a huge number of Air Force members. I was fortunate enough to work for him in Washington, DC. I also personally benefitted from one of his career choices when I was able to become the Chief Judge of the AFCCA. I can not remember a time when he wasn’t kind, understanding and smiling. And subtly mentoring. General Fincher will be missed but always in our hearts.
Gen Fischer was an amazing soul and an incredible leader. He influenced many and moved careers ahead. I’m saddened by his untimely departure, but appreciative of his time, caring and good nature. Rest in peace dear friend.
The first conversation I had with BG Fincher was right after he returned from Afghanistan to AFLOA, where I was serving as SrIMA. His first words were, “So we’ve both been in the JAG Corps for over 20 years. How is it that we’ve never met?” I so appreciate the good conversations we shared whenever I was pulling duty (guitars and God), as well as his deep and abiding faith. As my Venezuelan friends say, “QDEP” – que descanse en paz.
I just learned of BGen Fincher’s death. It took me only a few minutes to dissolve into tears at the magnitude of his loss to this world and especially to his beloved Emily and David.
Like many others, I worked for Dan Fincher at Ellsworth. I could write an entire book on the lessons learned and memories of the 3 years I was a baby JAG under then-Lt Col Fincher’s unmatched mentorship on the law and officership. He presided over both of my promotion ceremonies and continued to serve as a sounding board even when I lived on the other side of the world.
Dan Fincher never had us stand when he entered the room, but he had the utmost respect of every person who worked for him because of the example he set for us. He’d have 8 paralegals, civilians, and JAGs lined up outside his door at times, but he never sent any of us away. I have long said I’d dig ditches in the Alabama sun if he asked–and I know he would be digging right beside me.
I arrived at Ellsworth 27 years ago this week. For the past 24 years, I have been spreading the Gospel of Dan Fincher to my colleagues. To this day, his words ring in my ears on at least a weekly basis: “Charge what we’re really upset about.” “That advice is noted.” I have tried to measure up to his leadership, but fall far short.
I will never forget our daily 7:30am staff meetings at which we discussed the latest episode of “The Practice,” him allowing us to do “research” in the library during March Madness, that mischievous glint in his eye and big smile, the chaplain drawing blood when teaching him to play racquetball (he came to work the next morning and it never appeared in the blotter), his relentless certainty that I’d love being a defense counsel (I did), and that there was not a dry eye at his Ellsworth going-away dinner.
Above all, Dan Fincher loved his Razorbacks, his family, the US, and God. Rest easy, sir. We have the watch from here.