Daniel Baffa

Daniel Baffa, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and lifelong advocate for animals and the natural world, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Salina, Kansas, at the age of 79.

Daniel was born on November 11, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, to Frank and Mary Baffa (nee Macejak). He was one of five brothers growing up on the Southwest side of Chicago.

While Daniel accomplished much throughout his professional life, his greatest legacy is his family. He is survived by his two sons, Timothy Baffa and Ben Baffa (Kristel); his grandchildren, Jasmyne Larson, Sierrah Baffa, Alex Baffa and Evan Baffa; and his many great-grandchildren, who brought him great joy. He is also survived by his 4 brothers, Dennis (Donna), David (Eileen), Jim (Sharon) and Jerry, along with their families.

Daniel devoted his professional life to animals and wildlife. His career included working at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Indianapolis Zoo and Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, IN before moving to Kansas, where he became Director of Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City.

He was a visionary zoo director, developing and executing a facilities plan that elevated the Zoo to one of the best in the state. He excelled at sharing his vision and raising the funds needed to make it happen. He was a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and was respected throughout the zoo and conservation community. In addition to his work at the zoo, he was responsible for Garden City’s parks and the World’s Largest Concrete swimming pool. His civic duties also included a term as college trustee for the community college.

His contributions to Garden City and the natural world extended beyond his work at the zoo. In 1991, Daniel received the Kansas State Forester Community Forestry Award in recognition of his contributions to community forestry. His passion for conservation continued throughout his life and eventually led him to Salina, where he became deeply involved in organizations dedicated to protecting Kansas wildlife and natural resources.

Daniel served as President of the Smoky Hills Audubon Society and later served on the Board of Trustees of Audubon of Kansas. He was an avid bird watcher and participated many years on the Christmas Bird Count.

His dedication to conservation continued into his later years. He served as a Conservation/Environment representative on the Smoky Hill-Saline Regional Advisory Committee, contributing his knowledge and experience to discussions about Kansas water and natural resources. In other civic duties, he served multiple terms on the Salina Planning Commission.

Daniel did things his unique way. Once he made up his mind, he liked to get after it immediately. His sons recall their father mentioning on a Friday evening that he considered removing a load-bearing wall between the kitchen and family room. Thinking of the wall removal as a longer term project, imagine the boys’ surprise the next morning when they awoke to the banging sounds of the wall already coming down!

Daniel will be remembered for his extraordinary knowledge of animals and wildlife, his curiosity, courage, and his ability to envision what something could become and then make it happen. Most of all, he will be remembered as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend who loved his family and the natural world.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Daniel A. Baffa Memorial Education Fund, established to support the education of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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