Dr. David Richard Maneval

1928 - 2025

Dr. David Richard Maneval

December 18, 1928 - March 25, 2025

State College , Pennsylvania - Dr. David Richard Maneval was born in Williamsport, PA to Paul David Maneval and his wife, Julia May Heisler Maneval.

He had 4 older sisters who spoiled him rotten - Mildred Louise Maneval, Julia Ruth Huffman (Jack), Annetta Heisler Seibert (Robert), Muriel Anna Bezek (John).

At age 14, he met the new preacher's daughter, Evelyn Page Heisley at a church social. They were inseparable. They dated while he went to Lycoming College in Science and she went to Geisinger Nursing School to become an RN. Dave proposed to Lyne after graduation and began training as an Army Medic. Their Christmas wedding was postponed to February as his leave was cancelled several times. They were then stationed in San Antonio, TX.

In 1951, he was sent to Germany and Lyne returned to Williamsport to have their first son, David Richard Maneval, Jr. (1951).Dave Sr. was accepted at the Pennsylvania State College on the Returning Veterans Program. Michael William was born in 1953; Holly Gay in 1955; and Laurie Lyne in 1957. Dave earned his Masters in Mineral Preparation that year. Lyne worked nights at the hospital and spent days chasing the 4 kids. Dave would come home at 5 to relieve her so she could get some sleep before her next 11 to 7 shift.

He received his Ph.D. in Mineral Engineering and began teaching at his beloved Penn State. Lyne then stayed in State College with the 4 kids while Dave went to work as Secretary for the Pa. Dept of Mines, the Appalachian Regional Committee, and later, the Federal Office of Surface Mining in Washington, DC. He drove home every weekend. After all 4 kids graduated from Penn State, Dave and Lyne finally "moved in together" in Columbia, Maryland. They traveled around the world as Dr. Maneval spoke and taught coal mining techniques in England, Poland, and Red China; diamond mining processes in South Africa; and gold mining in South America.

Dave was hired by the University of Alaska Fairbanks to teach gold mining and became the Dean of the School of Mining there. They both enjoyed the adventure. They loved to travel.

When each of their 9 grandchildren turned 10, "Nana and Grandad" would take them on a trip anywhere in the world they wanted to go - one-on-one time and a new adventure! They enjoyed seeing the world thru new eyes.

When Dave retired from UAF, they returned to the "lower 48", to Penn State and family.

Dave was a Penn State football fan, active in the Methodist and Presbyterian church, and he collected Rotary flags from all over the world.

Dave was a lifelong Boy Scout. He was a troop leader for Troop 31 and took many rowdy young men to Philmont Scout Camp, AZ. He helped many of them become Eagle Scouts. He was honored as the Joe Paterno "Good Scout" and was awarded the "Silver Beaver" for his service to the Juniata Council.

Dave was predeceased by his "better half", Lyne, and by his son, Rev. Michael W. Maneval. He was the last of his generation.

He is survived by his children - David R. Maneval, Jr of Micanopy, FL, Holly G. McDonough (Patrick) of State College, PA, Laurie L. Zellers (L. Mark) of Lock Haven, PA.

Also surviving are his 9 grandchildren, who fondly remember their travels with him, and his 14 great-grandchildren.

His family is appreciative of the loving care he received in recent years and are so grateful that he will be reunited with his Lynie.

David and Lyne have both given their bodies to the Human Gift Registry to aid in cancer and geriatric studies research. Philanthropists both, this was their final contribution.

Donations may be made in their honor to "The Maneval Family Funds" at the Centre Community Foundation or at the Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation.

Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com