DANIEL DREYFUS

1931 - 2021

Honorable Daniel A. Dreyfus  
Public servant, combat veteran, and beloved father and grandfather passed away January 30, 2021 at age 89. Daniel is survived by his wife, Josephine, five children, and six grandchildren.Daniel was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 5, 1931 to Major General James Dreyfus and the former Edna Cecilia Hogan. While his father participated in the reconstruction of Japan, Daniel attended Meguro High School in Tokyo, Japan. Daniel attained a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 1957, a Master of Engineering Administration in 1965 from George Washington University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from American University in 1975. American University also bestowed upon him the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1980.Daniel enlisted in 1952 and saw combat as a rifleman and light machine gun squad leader in the 7th Infantry Division and was awarded the Order of the Bayonet for faithful and honorable service. In 1957, he was directly commissioned as a second lieutenant, and was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers. He also served as a company commander in the Eskimo Scout Battalions of the Alaska National Guard.In 1968, Daniel was appointed as a professional staff member to the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. In 1979, he was appointed Staff Director for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He contributed to several legislative efforts including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977. He retired from the Senate in 1981.Following a stint at the Gas Research Institute as Director of Policy Analysis, Daniel returned to public service in 1993, through the nomination of President Clinton, to serve as Director for the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, working under Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary. Daniel managed key responsibilities including overseeing the fueling and safety of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered submarines and surface vessels, as well as the planning and initial exploration for the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.After retiring from federal service, Daniel joined the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as Associate Director for Operations from 1997 to 1999.A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday February 8, 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave. in Falls Church. A Private burial will be held at Fairfax Memorial Park. For more information please visit murphyfuneralhomes.com.For remembrances and condolences, please send cards to: Mrs. Dreyfus. Due to the current pandemic, physical viewing and services will be restricted. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Audubon Society (Audubon.org) or Alzheimer's Association (alz.org).