Daniel J. Mickish

Dr. Daniel J. Mickish of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on July 28, 2024, with his wife and daughter by his side. He was 80 years old.

Daniel (Dan) was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and physicist. He was the first child of Albert J. (AJ) Mickish and Mildred R. Mickish, née Newell. Dan was born during WWII in Geneva, Nebraska, where United States Army Air Force Captain AJ Mickish was stationed at the time.

Dan’s childhood years were happy and spent in Darby, Pennsylvania, where his father earned a Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree, and in ensuing years in Edmond, Oklahoma, where his parents established the Edmond Animal Clinic in 1950.

Family projects during Dan’s grade school days were fun and successful with Dan taking the lead in reading and interpreting directions for repair, maintenance, and assembly of model kits and household appliances. AJ set up a chemistry lab for the kids and converted the X-Ray developing room in his animal clinic into a photo dark room to enable development of photos taken with the family Argus C3 camera. Dan dived deep into learning about camera settings, filters, various films, and optics, and he even photographed planets through a telescope. During his high school senior year, Dan was hired by Central State College to work after school to help develop and maintain the college’s earliest computer system. These interests and experiences formed the foundation for his subsequent college education and his pioneering work in physics, chemistry, and technology.

At 17 years old, Dan met the love of his life in a high school chemistry class when Charlotte, née Richmond, fortuitously transferred to Edmond High School in the middle of the school year. They wed in 1965 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage of nearly 59 years. Throughout this time, a common refrain of Dan’s was, “Whatever Charlotte wants!” After Charlotte developed Multiple Sclerosis, his unwavering love and support only grew. Until his last day, he lovingly cared for her 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He made their small home wheelchair accessible, installed lifts, and learned how to administer countless medicines and change complicated dressings. He even bought a brand-new van with an automated wheelchair ramp to ensure that he and Charlotte could attend their daughter’s wedding. Dan researched every product diligently to ensure he always got the best for Charlotte. He was unfazed by any challenge and was often seen with his small, sly smile and his dry sense of humor.

Dan was a loving father to his daughter Cassandra (Cassie). He read to her often, supported her education, and was a regular at her swim and track meets. When she was young, he read her Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven;” took her to a variety of plays, musicals, and operas; introduced her to camping, canoeing, and fishing; and often brought her to his work where he showed her holograms, lasers, and three-dimensional structures built from photopolymers. As she got older, he encouraged her to pursue science and public health and supported her boundless desire to travel around the world. He loved hearing about her work and often shared valuable advice and insight.

As Cassie grew the family, Dan embraced his son-in-law Darren and adored his grandchildren. He regularly printed large photographs of Rosalyn and Ronald and showed them off to anyone who was interested. The grandkids loved going to Grandmother and Granddad’s house where they found an abundance of new books and toys at every visit and their choice of at least half a dozen different ice cream treats. He had the honor of giving baby Rosalyn her first real food – Häagen-Dazs mango ice cream – which she thoroughly enjoyed. Most recently, after giving them goggles, snorkel gear, and flippers, he delighted in watching them swim and play in the pool.

Dan enjoyed a special closeness with his mother Mildred. He called her to check in and chat every night for years before she passed away. Following in Mildred’s footsteps, Dan could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He knew all the servers at his favorite diner and loved asking children he met about their interests and favorite subjects in school.

In addition to a rich family life, Dan had an impressive career. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Central State College (now University) in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1966 and earned his Ph.D. in quantum physics and chemistry at Oklahoma State University in 1971. After completing a post-doctoral program at University of Illinois, Dan was recruited to work for DuPont in Delaware and later DSM after his department was transferred. His research and development focused on geometric and physical optics, medical X-ray systems, holography, and 3D printing and stereolithography. At DuPont, his work contributed to the ability to digitize complex X-ray images and transmit the data electronically for consultation by radiologists. Building on these developments, his subsequent work contributed to the development and improvement of the earliest 3D printers, which translated digital images, such as X-rays and CAT scans, into physical replicas with the use of lasers and photopolymers. Dan held numerous patents in these fields. He published dozens of peer reviewed scientific journal articles, which were in turn cited by hundreds of other researchers who continue to build on his accomplishments and innovation to benefit people around the world. In 1993, he received a Distinguished Former Student Award by Central State University. After retiring, he enjoyed managing his own small consulting company and supporting others in research and business.

Dan is survived by his daughter Cassandra Mickish Gross and son-in-law Darren Gross (Perry Hall, MD); grandchildren Rosalyn and Ronald Gross; and siblings Roger Mickish (Moorpark, CA), Janet Mickish (Denver, CO), and Andrew Mickish (Dahlonega, GA). Dan was preceded in death by his parents, AJ and Mildred Mickish. Although Dan passed away before his wife, Charlotte, she followed just days later. The family takes comfort in knowing they are together again.

He will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by all.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11:00 am.