Obituary for Dennis Lane Friesel
Dennis Lane Friesel, 79, Unionville, IN, passed away Feb 5, 2022 at IU Health Hospice House in Bloomington. Born in Chicago July 24, 1942 the son of Walter A. Friesel and Marian Hall Friesel, he graduated Marmion Military Academy High School, Aurora, IL, 1960 where he earned a pilot’s license at age 19. Dennis graduated from St. Procopius College, Lisle, IL, 1964 with B.S. Physics and Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, with M.S. and Ph.D. Physics in 1970.
In 1964, Dennis married his wife of 57 years, Donna Clark Friesel, in Wheaton, IL. He is survived by Donna, his two sons Michael Friesel (wife Christine) and Eric Friesel (wife Randy), four grandchildren, Alishia, Walter, Madison and Edward, and one great granddaughter Lydia Lane.
Dennis began his 37yr career at Indiana University (IU) in 1970 as a member of the initial IU Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) design and development team. He was an instrumental part of Robert Pollock’s team that developed the IUCF nuclear particle accelerator system. Dennis was the coordinator of operations and eventually became division head. Later he directed the building of the Proton Therapy Treatment Area at IUCF and contributed to creation of Jill’s House to care for radiation therapy patients.
Dennis served the Bloomington community as Treasurer of the Lake Lemon Conservancy Board, a Wonder Labs volunteer, a national Science Olympiad mentor, and organized an annual Boys and Girls Club summer camp Radio Control fun fly and learning event. He will be missed by family, colleagues, friends and acquaintances. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Wed Feb 9 at 4PM. Family will greet attendees at 3PM with COVID precautions mask and spacing.
In 1964, Dennis married his wife of 57 years, Donna Clark Friesel, in Wheaton, IL. He is survived by Donna, his two sons Michael Friesel (wife Christine) and Eric Friesel (wife Randy), four grandchildren, Alishia, Walter, Madison and Edward, and one great granddaughter Lydia Lane.
Dennis began his 37yr career at Indiana University (IU) in 1970 as a member of the initial IU Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) design and development team. He was an instrumental part of Robert Pollock’s team that developed the IUCF nuclear particle accelerator system. Dennis was the coordinator of operations and eventually became division head. Later he directed the building of the Proton Therapy Treatment Area at IUCF and contributed to creation of Jill’s House to care for radiation therapy patients.
Dennis served the Bloomington community as Treasurer of the Lake Lemon Conservancy Board, a Wonder Labs volunteer, a national Science Olympiad mentor, and organized an annual Boys and Girls Club summer camp Radio Control fun fly and learning event. He will be missed by family, colleagues, friends and acquaintances. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Wed Feb 9 at 4PM. Family will greet attendees at 3PM with COVID precautions mask and spacing.