Daniel Dunmire

He started his life in Hubbard, Ohio where his two older sisters, Linda and Peggy were thrilled to welcome their new brother. He also grew up with a fabulous Uncle that was his older sister’s age, Uncle Bill. During his early years, Dan took every opportunity availed him for family activities, work activities and school activities. He started working at age 12 at Mr. Park’s Trailer Park for a dollar an hour. He was starting to gather money he would need to pay for college. He graduated from Hubbard High School and knew he would enter the Army after college.

He started off at Youngstown State University. After two years at Youngstown State and running through his savings, he received an ROTC scholarship to Kent State University. He wore his uniform on campus when many showed their disapproval. He was a handicap attendant while at Kent State where he brought a lot of fun and joy to that community. After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Speech he entered active duty service in the Army. He was surprised to be selected to the Core of Engineers as he had no background in engineering. He studied until he mastered all knowledge needed for the appointment. He volunteered for Vietnam but was sent to Germany. He was active duty for four years. After that he joined his parents in Florida where they had moved.

He worked at Busch Gardens at the warehouse and in management in food service. He then trained for the Marriott Corporation at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor in Florida. Marriott sent him to Birmingham, Alabama to be the assistant manager at that restaurant. That is where he met his wife, Susan when she walked into the restaurant as a customer. He very quickly decided this would be his wife if possible. Nine months later they were married in Sheffield, Alabama.

Dan then opened his own small restaurant called Dan’s Breakfast and Lunch in Birmingham, Alabama. He was attending graduate school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB and received a degree in Public Administration. He also joined the Army Reserves while in Birmingham and finished his twenty years in Virginia. While attending UAB he competed in the Presidential Management Internship Program and was selected. The Department of Defense contacted him along with other agencies and had him come for an interview in Washington, DC. He was selected by the Department of Defense and began a two year internship. He was able to follow the budget cycle in the Pentagon and got a rotation at the Congressional building as well. Over the years he worked for different offices at the Pentagon. He also was selected for a Best Commercial Practices program the Department of Defense offered. That took him to Heinz in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for two years, where he learned all about corrugated boxes and line production and became a purchaser. He enjoyed his time there immensely. At the end of his career he became the Director of Corrosion Policy and Oversight where he put together a wonderful network of people to solve corrosion problems. He dearly loved those he worked with and considered them a part of his family. During that time where his team accomplished so much, an author wrote a book about corrosion called Rust. In that book there is a chapter about Dan called The Ambassador.

As Dan would say, he worked hard and he played hard. He adored the Steelers and all things Pittsburgh. He had season tickets at Heinz Field the last twenty years and enjoyed many games with this family. He was even able to go to two Super Bowls. He always wore at least one article of clothing that represented the Steelers. He enjoyed the series Star Trek and would attend conventions when possible. At one of those conventions he met his “extended daughter plus” Stacey Cook. He never met a stranger and everyone who knew him has a story to tell.

Dan was predeceased by his parents, Daniel and Lou Dunmire and his sister, Peggy Glasnapp.

He is survived by his wife of forty years, Susan and his children, Daniel Dunmire, Margaret Dunmire, and Gregg Dunmire.

He also leaves behind his beloved sister, Linda Resch(David) and his Uncle, Bill Dunmire (Marlene). He enjoyed his later years with his special dog friend, Beau, who was his constant companion.

A gathering of family and friends may take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, you may remember Dan by twirling a Terrible Towel and by giving to the charity of your choice.