Dalton William Bordner

Dalton William Bordner passed away at his home in Rancho Mission Viejo on April 25, 2026. The cause of death was mesothelioma, likely the result of occupational asbestos exposure during his work as a young research chemist some 67 years earlier.

Born to Pauline Clements and Dalton Dwight Bordner in Long Beach, California, on July 10, 1936, he grew up in Belmont Shore, catching scallops in Alamitos Bay, playing baseball in vacant lots, and coming of age during the extraordinary optimism and growth that characterized Southern California in the years following World War II. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1954 and from Pomona College in 1958 with a degree in chemistry. At Pomona, he played water polo, was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity, formed lifelong friendships, and remained a loyal alumnus throughout his life.

Dalton met Susan Wellington while at Pomona, and they married in 1960. Together they made their home in Fullerton, California, where they raised three sons. He was active in Scouting, sharing his love of the outdoors with his boys, and he took great pride in telling people that all three became Eagle Scouts.

Dalt spent most of his career with Ameron Corporation, beginning as a research chemist and eventually serving as Director of Manufacturing, a role that included opening a facility in Singapore. He developed deep expertise in composite plastics and corrosion-resistant piping systems for marine applications. Drawn to challenging and engaging projects, he earned several patents through his work and later spent five years as an industry consultant. He was often an early adopter of technology, from the latest HP programmable calculators to some of the earliest Apple computers and, ultimately, even artificial intelligence.

In retirement, Dalt and Sue moved to El Dorado Hills, where he enjoyed woodworking, fishing in the Mammoth Lakes area, supporting Sue in her many civic endeavors, and spending time with family and friends—including annual trips to the San Juan Islands. In 2019 they moved to Reata Glen, where they made many new friends and remained active in the community through activities such as Mahjong and woodworking.

Dalt's family roots ran deep in Southern California. Both of his parents came with their families from the Midwest to Long Beach in the early twentieth century, and he grew up surrounded by a large network of aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout the Los Angeles area. He loved the Sierra Nevada, especially the Eastern Sierra and Mammoth Lakes region, where he spent countless days fishing and many nights backpacking in the mountains.

Friendships were central to Dalt's life. He remained in touch with people he had known since second grade—friendships spanning more than 80 years—and participated in weekly Zoom calls with college friends he had known for over seven decades. He was a modest but proud man: proud of his community, proud of his family, and proud of the life he built. Friends knew him for his lifelong intellectual curiosity, his willingness to help with projects large and small, and his consistently supportive nature.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan, and his brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his sister, Joan Bordner; his sons, Robert (Susan Mitchell), Douglas (Jennifer), and Bruce (Christine); eight grandchildren, Nicholas, Caroline, Austin, Travis, Samantha, Addison, Ryan, and Tara; and two step-grandchildren, Kate and Mitchell Duran.

Dalton's family thanks everyone for their support during the past nine months. Donations in his memory may be made to Pomona College, for the Dalton W. and Susan W. Bordner Memorial Fund in Chemistry, or to a local hospice organization.