James "Jim" MacNeil Dahl, PhD, died August 24, at his home in Denver, Penn., a few months shy of his 80th birthday. He was born in Detroit. He was the beloved husband of Judith A. Nichol.

In addition to his wife, his daughters, Catherine E. Nonnenmacher and husband Paul Nonnenmacher of Newtown, 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 survive him. He is also survived by a sister, Janice Brigham; the mother of his children, Sylvia Mayers Dahl; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. His parents, Loren and Ruth Crossan Dahl and sister Catherine predeceased him. Dr Dahl will also be missed by his feline companions.

He graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Bachelor of Science in 1959, Master of Science in 1961, and PhD in 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 in 1978.

In the course of his career, he worked for Fairchild Semiconductor (later Intel Corp.) of Palo Alto, Calif.; Climax Molybdenum of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Varian Specialty Metals of Grove City, Ohio; Amax Nickel of Greenwich, Conn.; and lastly Carpenter Specialty Alloys of Reading, Penn. 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 Dr Dahl 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. He 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.

Dr Dahl'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.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Dr Dahl's name can be made 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.

Calling hours will be held from noon to 2 pm on Sunday, September 4, at the Bean Funeral Home, 3825 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring, Penn., followed by a celebration of his life.

Online condolences may be made at beanfuneralhomes.com.