Dale Lavern Fahnestock

Dale was born on December 8, 1936 in Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania to Lola Rockey and William Benjamin Fahnestock. He grew up in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey surrounded by the love of his Mom, and his siblings, Evelyn (Fahnestock) Lattimer (Joe)/later Anderson (Richard) and Richard “Dick” Fahnestock (Lorraine). He graduated from Clifton High School and then attended New Jersey Institute of Technology, graduating with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force where served as an officer in the early 1960’s. He worked for the Department of Defense and eventually the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). While working at NASA, Dale met a beautiful mathematician from Montgomery, Alabama who would capture his heart—his beloved Medora Braxton Powell. They would marry in 1965 and to this union 8 children were born. The young family would start their home in Bowie, Maryland before ultimately settling at the family home in Elkridge, Maryland. It was here that Dale would spend countless hours restoring and adding to the home to bring it back to its former glory. During this time, he continued working at NASA retiring as Director of Mission Operations and Data Systems for Goddard Space Flight Center. Following this retirement, he worked for Computer Sciences Corporation until his final retirement. His work ethic, integrity, devotion to God, love of his family, and love of his country are his legacy, and will be sorrowfully missed by all who knew and loved him.

Left to treasure his memory are his devoted wife of 57 years, Medora; his children John Derick Fahnestock (D’Ann), Medora Macie (Joseph), Evelyn Fahnestock-Sutton (Glendora), Dale Fahnestock II (Jenny), Sarah Rebecca Fahnestock Parks (Bobby), Ruth Webb (Kris), Elizabeth Thigpen (Rob), and David Fahnestock; grandchildren Abbie Kane (Raymond), Ivy Fahnestock (Nathaniel), Derick Fahnestock, Laurel Fahnestock, Bobby Parks, Devin Parks, David Parks, Jaden Parks, Tristan Webb, Ethan Webb, Dylan Webb, Marissa Webb, and Zy’Mia Sutton; sister-in-laws Sarah Lacy Pudner and Marie Hutchinson (Billy); brother-in-law John R. Powell, Jr.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by both his parents; siblings and spouses; in-laws Sarah and John R. Powell, Sr.

The family will welcome guests for visitation at the family home on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A service of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department, 5700 Rowanberry Rd, Elkridge, Maryland 21075 with Pastor Steve Wishart officiating. Interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cemetery, 6480 Elibank Drive, Elkridge, Maryland 21075 followed by a reception at the Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department.