Chaplain Dan Dundon has been a fixture at Inland Christian Home for nearly twelve years, providing spiritual guidance to its residents across the campus. In December 2023, he made the decision to retire from his position. Although he has taken the next step in enjoying life on his terms, his smiling face will remain an Inland Christian Home staple.
After retiring from the state of California in 2011 where he worked as a psychiatric nurse for many years, Chaplain Dan began his service to ICH in July 2012. Since that time, he has touched the lives of many residents by bringing spiritual support, guidance, and sharing the gospel with all levels of the community.
During his years as Inland’s chaplain, he facilitated bible studies, held church services on Sundays, led the daily prayer in the dining room before lunch, and visited residents in their homes and during hospital stays. He loved all aspects of his work but particularly enjoyed using music to spread the Word, something he found particularly effective in the Haven. Studies show that music helps those with Alzheimer’s disease to connect with others, even if they struggle with verbal communication. It also improves the mood by reducing depression and helps spark memories associated with music. In his work at Inland Christian Home, Chaplain Dan saw these positive effects first-hand by singing hymns during his visits to the memory care unit, where he found that music brought joy to the residents and allowed them to engage more with the world around them.
During his years working at ICH, he loved many things about his job, but his favorites were talking about Jesus, teaching the bible, and visiting with the facility’s residents. His retirement has not stopped him from enjoying these things, as he continues to volunteer his time once a week at the facility.
While he feels that the time was right to retire from his role as Inland’s chaplain to let someone younger step into his shoes, he is still committed to sharing the Word of God with the community’s residents. Now, as a volunteer, he can be found once a week leading bible studies in Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living and singing hymns with the residents of the Haven. In what is left of his free time, he also volunteers with the Food for Life Ministry, a charitable organization that helps bring food and much-needed support to those in need. In addition to his regular contributions to this organization, he also leads bible studies twice a week.
Chaplain Dan is adjusting to retirement by doing the things he enjoys most or, as he says, “the things retired people do.” He watches sports (he is a big Dodgers fan), reads, and is “getting used to being completely retired.” His wife is adjusting to him being home more as well. They are busy making travel plans (New Zealand is on his bucket list) and recently purchased an X-Box so they can spend some fun, quality time together.
Inland Christian Home is honored to have had such a dedicated chaplain provide spiritual support and guidance for its residents, and we look forward to many more years of his volunteer service. It is with deep gratitude that we thank him for his service and wish him all the joy and happiness that retirement can bring.