Longtime musician and former paper industry professional Dan Dingman, of Battle Ground, has been selected for inclusion in ‘Marquis Who’s Who,’ a national biographical publication recognizing individuals for career achievement and contributions to their fields.
According to the organization, honorees are selected based on factors such as professional accomplishments, leadership, visibility and prominence within their industry. Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the first edition of ‘Who’s Who in America,’ ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment.
Last year’s Reflector Best of the Best Musician, Dan Dingman, embodies the spirit of ‘Who’s Who.’
A life in music
Music has always remained a constant throughout Dingman’s life.
Dingman said in a previous article in The Reflector that his folks had a little extra money after a sibling had left the nest and another was about to follow suit. With the extra money, they got him guitar lessons at age 7.
Dingman, who began his endeavor as a self-employed musician in 2013, has built a reputation in music, whether by powerful national anthems or concerts at wineries, brewpubs and assisted living facilities throughout the region. ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated that Dingman’s lifelong expertise in music, as well as significant contributions to the paper and chemical trades, were factors in choosing to honor Dingman.
“Mr. Dingman has led a distinguished career spanning nearly six decades,” a press release by the organization stated.
Among Dingman’s biggest musical accomplishments are his national anthem performances for several Portland-based sports teams like the Timbers, Thorns, Trail Blazers and Winterhawks.
“For me, getting the opportunities and recognition for my national anthems when I’m entering the ‘golden years’ of my life is a wonderful gift and affirmation,” Dingman told The Reflector about the honor. “It took many years of commitment and discipline to get here, and it’s wonderful to be recognized.”
Dingman has performed the anthem at Timbers games six times. Dingman is also an avid and passionate fan of the Portland Timbers.
“First of all, singing the National Anthem now has nothing to do with the current politics of our country,” Dingman said in a previous Reflector article. “It’s not in support of either side. I think both sides are clueless at times. They don’t represent the average person like me and you. That’s my feeling on it.”
Dingman performs the anthem in a booming voice in honor of his parents, who served their respective roles during the Second World War.
“When I sing, I sing because of my parents,” he said. “My dad was a World War II vet. He was in the Pacific Theater as an Army MP. He didn’t see any direct action, but he was one of the people that followed in. And my mom was a ‘Rosie the Riveter,’ she was a welder in the Bremerton shipyards and that’s where they met.”
Additionally, Dingman has performed the anthem at local fair concerts, where he shared the stage with globally recognized acts such as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Blood Sweat and Tears, Blue Oyster Cult and Kansas, ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated.
Dingman also remains active as a church music leader and participates in community and charitable events, including prior support for Hair We Share, a New York-based nonprofit organization assisting individuals experiencing medical hair loss, ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated.
“Mr. Dingman’s life and legacy are defined by excellence in music, science and community service — all of which is underscored by his resilience, passion and commitment to uplifting those in need through both professional expertise and artistic expression,” ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated.
Life in the paper industry
Before turning his focus to music full-time, Dingman spent decades in the paper and chemical industries. Most recently, he worked as a quality systems engineer at the WestRock paper mill in Longview from 2018 to 2022, where he oversaw quality control operations and supervised a team of union employees. Concurrently, from 2016 to 2022, he served as a quality systems manager at KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation, overseeing similar responsibilities within the organization, ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated.
In Dingman’s earlier paper industry career, he spent 16 years with Buckman Laboratories International as an account manager, providing specialty chemical solutions to paper mills. His earlier tenure at Buckman included three years as a senior development specialist, where he contributed to research and development for flotation and wash deinking initiatives, ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated.
Throughout the middle of the 1990s, Dingman held multiple roles in laboratory management at both Vinings Industries and Lion Industries, where he oversaw laboratory functions supporting mill trials, new product formulation and technical customer service.
Dingman’s early experience includes serving as a research technician for Boise Cascade Research and Development from 1990 to 1994. During this period, he also gained valuable experience as a production engineer intern at Boise Cascade St. Helens Pulp Mill in 1993. His foundational roles include analytical chemist at Columbia Analytical Services from 1988 to 1990 and senior technician at Spectra Technology from 1987 to 1988, ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated.
“Hailing from an equally accomplished academic background, Dingman earned a Bachelor of Science in physics from Western Washington University in 1986, graduating magna cum laude and being named Outstanding Graduate of the Year, the release by ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ stated. “Two years earlier, he completed an Associate of Applied Science at Lower Columbia College. Determined to make an impact outside the classroom, as well, he worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska during his college years and was known for successful mountain climbing endeavors in his youth.”
