Physicist was a pioneer in semiconductor research field
PEABODY — Brian Dale of Peabody, formerly of Lynnfield, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at the Aviv Centers for Living.
Born in Yorkshire, Northern England in 1930, Dr. Dale was the son of the late Herbert and Isabel (Thirkettle) Dale. He graduated from high school with a full scholarship to the University of London, King’s College, obtaining his first degree with Honors and continued on to earn a Ph.D. in Physics.
Dr. Dale immigrated to the United States with his wife, the late Dorothy A. (Miles) Dale, in 1959 after accepting a position as a research scientist with the Transitron Semiconductor Co. in Wakefield. They eventually settled in Lynnfield where they resided for 43 years.
Dr. Dale continued his interest in semiconductors, moving from Transitron to work for GTE Laboratories, where he established a distinguished reputation and was awarded a number of patents during his career in this field. He was a member of the Board of the IEEE professional association and served as its President for a term and chairman of the 1978 Electro conference in Boston. During his career at GTE he became director of the Semiconductor Research Division.
Before retiring, Dr. Dale transferred to a Special Products area of GTE based in Greenwood, N.H. where he did much of the early work on the application of semiconducting and photosynthesis for flat screen television.
Dr. Dale and his late wife Dorothy traveled extensively around the world during their lifetime, visiting much of the United States as well as many other countries including Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Canada, Japan, China, Panama and much of Europe.
They enjoyed the theater and classical music and held season tickets to the Boston Symphony Orchestra for many years. Dr. Dale was an avid European soccer and table tennis enthusiast and a prolific reader who devoured books of all genres.
He was a devoted husband who dedicated several years to caring for his beloved wife Dorothy before she passed away. He was a loyal and generous friend and a loving father to his three children. He was cherished by his grandchildren, with whom he spent much of his time during his retirement years.
Dr. Dale is survived by his two daughters, Kathryn D. Adams and her husband Neil of Reading and Laurel S. Wexler-Dale and her wife Michele of Holden; his son, Jeremy P. Dale and his wife Kristine of Gilford, N.H.; his two sisters, June Dale and Margaret Dale, both of England, and his three grandchildren, Emily, Nick and Marissa Adams.
A funeral service will be held in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 5 Bryant St., Wakefield on Saturday, February 28 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday, February 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018.
