James Dahl

James MacNeil Dahl, Ph.D., died Aug. 24, 2016, at his home in Denver, Pa., a few months shy of his 80th birthday. He was the beloved husband of Judith A. Nichol.

Jim was born in Detroit. He graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a bachelor of science in engineering (1959), master of science in engineering (1961) and Ph.D. (1961), all in metallurgical engineering. He also attended the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. (class of 1959). He later earned an MBA in marketing from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn. (1978).

In the course of his career he worked for Fairchild Semiconductor (later Intel Corp.), Palo Alto, Calif.; Climax Molybdenum of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Varian Specialty Metals, Grove City, Ohio; Amax Nickel, Greenwich, Conn.; and lastly Carpenter Specialty Alloys, Reading, Pa. He was particularly proud of helping to promote Carpenter specialty steels and alloys to the aerospace industry.

He was active in community planning in Ann Arbor and served on the boards of directors of the Adamstown Area Library and the Reading Symphony Orchestra.

He thoroughly enjoyed travel, visiting Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, the Middle East and all but two of the 50 states. His other passion was classical music, particularly orchestral and choral pieces. Through the years Jim accumulated a collection of antique maps that he donated to the Stephen S. Clark Library at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, in 2012. Jim enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors and worked hard to make each of his several homes a showplace, paying attention to the lawns, shrubs and trees.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Catherine E. Nonnenmacher (and husband Paul Nonnenmacher) of Newtown, Conn., and Laura Jean Dahl (and husband Peter Wolters) of Concord, Calif.; and grandchildren Nicole Dahl Nonnenmacher, Joshua Dahl Wolters, Nathanael Saul Wolters and Lillian Ruth Wolters. He is also survived by a sister, Janice Brigham; the mother of his children, Sylvia (Mayers) Dahl; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Loren and Ruth (Crossan) Dahl, and sister, Catherine. Jim will also be missed by his feline companions, Sandy and Teager.

Jim's family will always appreciate the care and support he received from Dr. J. Marc Aynardi and his staff, and Compassionate Care Hospice of Lancaster County.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016 at the Bean Funeral Home, 3825 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, from 12-2:00PM, with a celebration of his life to follow at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Jim's name to either the Adamstown Area Library, 3000 North Reading Road, Adamstown, Pa., 19501, or the Reading Symphony Orchestra, 147 North 5th Street, Suite 4, Reading, Pa., 19601-3494.