Great observation! In that context, “Daniel” is almost certainly the author’s first name

Great observation! In that context, “Daniel” is almost certainly the author’s first name. It’s pretty common for obituary writers or journalists to be credited by their first name, especially in more personal or informal notes.

And yes, you’re right—obituaries for well-known figures are often prepared in advance and updated over time. Having the writer named at the end gives a nice personal touch and credits the work, which is often a behind-the-scenes effort.