In the often frustrating world of local political partisans, intelligence and a sense of humor goes a long way. Several Calvert County Democrats gathered at a Huntingtown residence Tuesday evening, Nov. 26 to fondly recall one of their brightest and funniest stalwarts.
Danny A. Pike, 63, died suddenly Monday, Nov. 18 while working at Calvert Democratic Headquarters in Prince Frederick. The local party’s central committee sent out a memo stating Pike had apparently suffered a massive heart attack.
“I know we’re going to miss Dan,” said Calvert Democratic Central Committee Chairman Clifton Savoy. “We’ll miss all his hard work. He was a good friend and colleague. You could count on him to be there sunup and sundown.”
“There was a lot behind that southern hillbilly mouth,” said central committee member Thomas Hausmann, who recalled Pike showed up at Democratic headquarters during the summer of 2008 ready to volunteer. Hausmann said Pike had been a registered Independent. What compelled him to volunteer with the Democrats was 2008 Republican Presidential Nominee Senator John McCain’s choice for running mate—Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Hausmann said it was only recently that Pike finally became a registered Democrat.
“He was so funny,” said party volunteer Kathy Vogan, who explained Pike would regale her with stories about his teen years growing up in Northern Virginia.
“I never got any work done when he was there [at headquarters],” central committee treasurer Beth Swoap.
Apparently Pike, who worked as a carpenter and window treatment specialist in the Washington, DC area for years, got plenty done during his volunteer hours at headquarters.
Committee member Stovy Brown said Pike was doing so many things, including the local party’s web site that it will take six months to catch up with the projects he started.
“He made people laugh, he loved to help people,” Hausmann added.
“God doesn’t forget the good things we do,” said the Rev. Robert Hahn, who admitted he didn’t know Pike well at all but recalled him receiving the local party’s Democratic Volunteer of the Year Award this past March at t
