Alfred Frank Daech

Mr. Alfred Frank Daech passed from this life peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, December 13, 2015. Al led a full and fascinating life. He had a generous and gracious heart; and all who knew or worked with him felt much the better for having been associated with him. He was born in Edwardsville, Illinois on November 2, 1928. He was degreed in Chemical Engineering and he left an impressive group of achievements,

patents, and inventions that are relied upon today in film reproduction, by the aerospace

industry, in materials coatings, and by the US military. He submitted the first patent for a VCR, he invented the first plastic conductor

and one of the first copy machines, and developed a process of recording micro information on film. Al received his degree at Tulane and taught pre-med chemistry while he went to school. He worked on some of the early space programs with NASA and later at

Martin Marietta/Lockheed in their space shuttle program. Late in his career he taught

at the University of New Orleans where he helped secure a contract for them

in Research and Development with the US Navy, and created three new patents.

During the Korean War, Al served in the Navy Air Corps and, at the time, was

the youngest man to ever serve as a flight squadron commander. Although Al was highly regarded as a brilliant scientist and

inventor by his peers, his life was truly dedicated to his family whom he

nurtured, cared for, and adored. He and his wife of 45 years, Joy, enjoyed a life filled

with humor and compassion (for people and animals), and a greatly envied mutual love. His

three daughters Etteen, Diana, and Alison were a source of tremendous pride to him;

and he showered them with attention and affection throughout his life. Unfortunately

his wife, Joy, and his daughter, Etteen, passed before him, both taken from him far too early.

Our comfort lies in knowing that he is now reunited with his beloved wife and daughter, and his black cat, Raven.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, December 21, 2015 at 1:00PM. Interment will follow in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 12:00 noon.

To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.