David E. Dahlkemper

David E. “King-A” DahlkemperJan. 24, 1935 – Dec. 9, 2024WAS ENGINEER, UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, WRITERBorn in Erie, PA, son of the late Joseph S. and Fern (Sawdy) Dahlkemper. Longtime resident of Summit Township. Attended Cathedral Prep, where he was starting center for 1951 undefeated football team. Spent seven years in Detroit on football scholarship at University of Detroit and working at Detroit Diesel division of General Motors before returning to his beloved Erie, PA. Worked for 20 years as Engineer at several Erie establishments, including AMSCO, Copes-Vulcan, Smith Meter and R-P & C Valve. Taught at Gannon University for eighteen years in Engineering Technology, Industrial Management, Liberal Studies and the Dahlkemper School of Business. Taught part-time at Erie County Tech School. After retiring from Gannon, was substitute teacher in many local schools, most often his alma mater, Cathedral Prep. Part-time instructor in GED program at Stairways Behavioral Health for many years. Registered Professional Engineer in State of Pennsylvania. Member of several professional societies, including ASME (past chairman), SME, ASQ, NAPM and APICS. Longtime member of St. Boniface Church. Wrote extensively of travels in Germany, Ireland and other spots in Europe and Asia, as well as several essays, poems and letters. Enjoyed traveling, dancing, sunsets, sunrises and full moons, especially with his longtime favorite partner for them all, Charlene “Queenie” Wheeler, who preceded him in death. Also preceded in death by his siblings: sisters Doris Kraus, Rita Lopus and Eleanor Lindenberger, and brothers John Dahlkemper, Gerald Dahlkemper and Joseph Dahlkemper. Survived by daughters Mary Lee (Art) Futch, Christi Dahlkemper, Patrice Mesick, Laura Dahlkemper, Karen (Chuck) Tuzynski, and sons Mark (Lorie) Dahlkemper and Andrew (River) Dahlkemper, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Appreciated his 40 acres in Summit Township and was known for celebrating something nearly every day with a bottle of champagne.Friends may call at Burton Quinn-Scott Funeral Home, West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St., Erie on Friday, December 13th from 2 until 6 pm. And are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Asbury, 4855 W. Ridge Rd., on Saturday, December 14th at 10 AM.At his request, he will be cremated and his ashes spread on his former 40-acre farm. In lieu of flowers or donations to any charity, consider planting a tree in his memory, or buy a bottle of champagne and celebrate knowing him, if you did. If you didn’t know him, celebrate your own life.