Muriel Genevieve Dahlgard

LYNCHBURG, VA – Dr. Muriel Genevieve Dahlgard, 93, of Lynchburg, VA departed this life on May 18, 2014. Born July 5, 1920 in West Haven, CT, she was the daughter of Paul Andreas and Hannah Elizabeth Naylor Dahlgard.

She graduated from West Haven High School and attended the University of Connecticut where she earned her BS and MS, with distinction, in organic chemistry with a minor in biochemistry. Dr. Dahlgard attended the University of Kansas where she earned her PhD in organic chemistry. She began her career at the University of Florida, in Gainesville, where she spent five years as a Research Assistant Professor in the Cancer Research Laboratory before joining the Chemistry Department staff of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College) in Lynchburg, VA. Dr. Dahlgard was a Professor and later Chairman of the Chemistry Department. She was awarded the Gillie A. Larew Distinguished Teacher Award. She was a member of Sigma Xi, the American Chemistry Society, the Virginia Academy of Science, American Association of University Women, and the American Association of University Professors. Dr. Dahlgard engaged in abundant research in her field of study with much of her effort focused on cancer research. She remained at Randolph College until her retirement. Muriel lived in Lynchburg for more than 50 years; the past 20 years at Westminster Canterbury. Muriel enjoyed challenging her students and found joy over the years exchanging cards and letters with many of her former students. She enjoyed cooking and was a proficient chef being an avid follower of many of the more popular chefs, but none more than Julia Child. After her retirement, Muriel spent time immersing herself in music, taking up the piano and becoming quite accomplished in playing the classical music she so loved. She generously supported many organizations to further the well being of her fellow man.

In addition to her parents Dr. Dahlgard was preceded in death by a sister Ruth Naylor Dahlgard Dillard, two brothers, Paul Miller Dahlgard and Howard Naylor Dahlgard, a sister-in-law, Ann I. Dahlgard, and five brothers-in-law, Woodrow T. Dillard, John P. Kebabian, Willem Pannebaker, George F. Bailey, and Melville P. Liverance.   She is survived by four sisters, Phyllis Dahlgard Kebabian of Old Saybrook, CT, Winifred Dahlgard Pannebaker of Milford, CT, Lois Dahlgard Bailey of Greensboro, NC, and June Dahlgard Liverance of Centennial, CO; as well as twelve nieces and nephews. A memorial service and internment will be at Beaverdale Cemetery in New Haven, CT at a later date. The family asks that memorials honoring the life of Dr. Dahlgard be made to The Fellowship Endowment Fund or The Employee Education Fund of Westminster Canterbury, 501 V.E.S. Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503. The family would like to thank the staff of Westminster Canterbury and Lynchburg General Hospital for their professional and loving care for Muriel. Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent by visiting: obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.