Daniel N. Leavell

A memorial service celebrating the life of Dr. Daniel Nelson Leavell, 66, of Granville, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2017, at St. Luke’s Church, 107 E. Broadway, Granville with Rev. Dr. Stephan H. Applegate as celebrant. A reception will follow at the adjoining Opera House Park in Granville.

Dr. Leavell passed away Sunday, June 18, 2017 at his home. He was born in Syracuse, NY to the late H. Nelson and Ann (Wickstead) Leavell. During his childhood, Dan moved numerous times with his family including spending several formative years in Cambodia. Both as a child and up to the present, he relished time spent at the family cabins in Cranberry Lake, NY. Also as a child at Cranberry Lake, Dan first met his future wife and the love of his life, Sarah.

Dan graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in mechanical engineering. In his graduate work, he shifted to a concentration on Earth Sciences at the University of Massachusettes, Amherst where he earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Geology. He began work in academia, accepting jobs at Smith College and in the Geology Department at Denison University. Subsequently, he transferred his scientific and research skills to positions in government and industry, including working for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Owens Corning Science and Technology Center in Granville. His love of teaching, at last, drew him back to accept a position at The Ohio State University in the Earth Sciences Department. He retired from OSU as Professor Emeritus in 2015.

Dan had a keen interest in the treatment and protection of water resources and in the impact of both science and politics upon communities charged with providing safe and abundant water. Most recently, he gave generously of his time and expertise to Granville making people aware of the problems and solutions involved in protecting the village water source. His enthusiasm for National Parks and the history of their creation was infectious. He taught courses devoted to the National Parks at OSU, making his students aware of the beauty and benefits as well as the responsibilities involved in maintaining America’s National Parks treasure.

Automobiles and motor racing captured fervent interest. He researched and admired cars and frequently traded his own car for a newer one.  He enjoyed skiing, hiking, and helping his many friends and neighbors. Indeed, his generous support for others, his inclusive spirit and big heart, his ready sense of humor, and his zest for life characterize this much-loved man who will be hugely missed and long held in loving thought by those fortunate to have known him.

Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Sarah Hamill Leavell; daughters and son-in-law, Kate and Jimmy Hoben, Maria Leavell, and Becca Leavell; grandchildren, Taylor, Max and Joey Hoben; brother, Hugh Leavell and his wife, Nicole; sister, Amy Ozalas and her husband, Joseph; brother-in-law, Matthew Hamill and canine companion Tashi.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Works, 55 S. 1st St., Newark, OH 43055; The Wild Center, 45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake, NY 12986; or National Park Foundation,1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20005, Web: http://donate.nationalparks.org

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