Obituary of Daniel Odell Oldfather

Daniel Odell Oldfather died peacefully at his home in Colts Neck on Christmas Day, 2018, of pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.

Dan was born in Warsaw, Indiana, in 1938. He graduated from Warsaw High School, salutatorian, in 1956. He attended Oregon State on a Naval Scholarship and graduated in 1960 with a B.S.E.E.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Gail, on June 6, 1960, they moved to Washington, D.C. Dan was a Lieutenant in the Navy and was selected to work in the Division of Reactor Development, under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.

Dan received a Master of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and began working for Bell Laboratories. Dan worked on engineering undersea cable telecommunications systems, among other projects, and was aboard the ocean vessel to complete the 1st transatlantic fiber optic cable system, TAT-8.

Dan had many hobbies. He was an outdoor enthusiast, he loved mountain climbing, backpacking, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing. He loved dancing; he danced every week and performed with the Monmouth Folk Dancers group. He faithfully attended The First Presbyterian Church of Red Bank (Tower Hill) for more than 50 years, serving as a Deacon, Elder, Stephan Minister, choir member, and working with a group that rebuilt kitchens after Hurricane Sandy. He loved music and played the piano in his spare time. Dan and Gail loved to travel to see new and different places and cultures.

Dan is survived by his wife, Gail; his three children Beth, David and Lynn; his five grandchildren Alicia, Joshua, Alex, Winona and Justin; and his great-grandchild Emery.

Visitation will be Friday, January 4th, 2019 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A funeral will be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Red Bank (255 Harding Road, Red Bank) at 11:00 am on Saturday January 5, 2019, with a reception to follow, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Ministries of The First Presbyterian Church of Red Bank.