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The famous General Trexler Estate at 1227 Hamilton Street is among the best known residences in Allentown. Filled with ornate woodwork, leaded stained glass windows, comtemporary lighting and a grand entranceway, coming to the Trexler Home is a unique experience.

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David K. McGuire, Ph.D.
07/25/2022

David Kelty McGuire, Ph.D, of Allentown (formerly of Montclair, NJ and Gaithersburg, MD) passed away peacefully, in the presence of family, on July 25, 2022.

Born on December 18, 1934, to Paul J. McGuire, MD and Dorothy Power McGuire, he lived first in Homestead and then Squirrel Hill, PA. He graduated from Central Catholic HS in Pittsburgh, then attended St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, where he earned a BS in Chemistry and Math. He went on to achieve a Ph.D in Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, and received a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

David spent many years utilizing his scientific abilities at businesses such as Patlex Corp. and Louis Berger & Associates (the latter of which he worked as a Senior Scientist for 13 years). However, much of his professional career was spent as a college professor, which he greatly enjoyed. After starting his career at Rider College, he then spent 16 years at Upsala College (East Orange, NJ) where he was Professor of Chemistry and spent time as Chair of the department and later of the entire Science Division. When he "retired" and relocated to Allentown, Dave resumed teaching, serving as a part-time Adjunct Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Studies at Muhlenberg College from 2001-2011.

David devoted much of his time outside of work to political advocacy. Being named a Delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was a lifelong point of pride. The next year, he was a candidate for Freeholder in Union County, NJ, and in 1971 ran as a longshot candidate for the NJ Assembly. Evincing that much of his best work took place behind the scenes, in 1992 he was the campaign manager for the Montclair Alternative slate that swept out the incumbents in that NJ municipal election. Later in life, after years of being active in Allentown civic matters, in February 2016 he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Allentown City Council, where he served through 2017. Not all of his political work was electoral-in 2013 the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club honored Dave for his longtime volunteerism and work for the State's environment.

David leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 20 years and partner since 1994, Deborah Lane McGuire, along with several dear brothers and sisters and their spouses. A pioneer of the artistic medium now recognized around the world as "dad jokes", his humor and love will also be missed by his sons, Daniel and Kieran (Alexandra Howard), former daughter-in-law Meredith Beever McGuire, and granddaughters Aidan (his "birthday twin") and Elowen (his "Favorite Younger Granddaughter").

David was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul Jr. and Philip, and his daughter, Rachel.

Dave had asked that there be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Homeless Solutions in Cedar Knolls, NJ, where son Daniel extends Dave's values of working to better the condition of the underprivileged. Visit:

https://homelesssolutions.org/david-mcguire/