Dan is one of the most respected and admired researchers in the fields of communications and information theory. He has been a reliable supporter of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Information Theory Society for over four decades, serving as its President in 1986; three times as ISIT co-chair; three times as board member; chair of many committees including the Conferences, Fellows, and Hamming medal committees; Associate Editor for the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Information Theory and Communications Transactions; co-author of a popular textbook on coding; and winner of several Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» paper prizes. Dan is a role model through his dedicated leadership and warm personality that attracts people to our field and contributes to a pleasant intellectual atmosphere at conferences and workshops.