Former boss recalls character of Cmdr. Dan Shanower

The 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 brings back memories, both pleasant and unpleasant.

Everyone in Naperville certainly has heard of Navy Intelligence Cmdr. Dan Shanower.

Undoubtedly, everyone admires his courage, devotion, dedication and contribution to this great country.

I met Dan Shanower in the early 1980s. I had just bought Extra Value Liquors on Bailey Road in Naperville after giving up on Corporate America and dumping my MBA. I was struggling in my business, as it was a disaster at the time. I was clueless as to what it took to succeed in retailing.

In comes a young, handsome, well-mannered man looking for a job. I informed him I only hired stocks boys and promoted from within. He stated he would do anything and took the lowly stock boy position. I recall hiring him on the spot after a short interview in which he impressed me — floored me is a better description.

Within a few months and upon his turning the legal age of 21, I promoted him to clerk; a few months later to assistant manager; and a few months later to manager. His work ethic and brilliance were striking. I told him, “This is as high as you can go, young man, and let us start figuring out how to be successful retailers.” He delivered big time.

In the two-and-a-half years I recall him being with us, he increased our sales fivefold — yes, fivefold. Before he arrived, I was like a car spinning its wheels in the mud going backward.

He also assisted me in arresting 200 minors who showed us fake IDs in the time he worked for Extra Value Liquors, all documented at the Naperville Police Department and in our store records. He was nothing short of amazing; nothing short of spectacular.

The legal customers all respected and adored him. He never failed to thank a customer or walk an old lady to the car while carrying her purchase in one hand and holding her arm in another. He was the ultimate, ever-so-polite gentleman.

The illegal customers all feared and avoided him. He never failed to memorize the license plate of escaping minors and submit it to the police. His memory was faultless, bordering on photographic.

I felt so fortunate to have crossed paths with Dan in his too-short life.

After about two-and-a-half years of his employment, I was suddenly receiving visits from FBI and CIA agents asking all kinds of questions about my manager, Dan Shanower. Initially, they refused to disclose to me why they were asking me all these unusual personal questions. If I hesitated, their badges would conveniently appear as they slid open their jackets in a gentle reminder.

I could not imagine what horrendous crime Mr. Shanower could have committed to bring the FBI and CIA to visit my little neighborhood store. I wondered what skeletons Mr. Shanower had in his closets that he chose not to disclose to me. I felt I must have really screwed up when I hired this guy.

Fortunately, the FBI and CIA returned again and finally confirmed to me that Mr. Shanower was in no trouble and was seeking a very important position with Navy Intelligence at the Pentagon. They were simply doing a very intensive and secretive background check on him as required by Navy Intelligence, who apparently saw unique and untapped potential in him.

While it was difficult to give Mr. Shanower an exemplary reference knowing I would certainly lose him, nevertheless I gave him the exemplary reference he deserved and that the FBI and CIA were seeking.

Dan Shanower was not replaceable. He was that rare employee who was truly indispensable. He was one of a kind. We have struggled without him for nearly 30 years.

Unfortunately, Mr. Shanower did not survive that fateful morning on Sept. 11, 2001. He was working for the defense of our country that day at the Pentagon. One of his duties was to uncover terrorists before they struck the homeland. He knew freedom was not free and he unfortunately paid the ultimate price that he was ready to pay in service of his and our beloved United States of America.