The FHS Alumni Association is pleased to announce that a fully endowed scholarship has been established to honor the life of 1958 FHS graduate David L. Dalrymple who became a role model in multiple fields including college professor, author, inventor, and community leader.
"David accomplished so much in his life without fanfare, he shunned recognition and credit for anything he did. It is important that future generations of Freddies be inspired by David's life and realize that they can start at FHS and impact the whole world," said Richard Dalrymple, David's brother who sponsored this 29th endowed scholarship.
Early Life and High School Excellence
David, with his younger brother Richard, grew up on the Dalrymple family farm in Fredericktown. In high school, David excelled in the classroom, as a member of the school's academic competition teams, and played the clarinet in the high school band. His diverse interests and academic excellence set the foundation for a remarkable career that would span multiple disciplines.
Academic Journey - From Wooster to Harvard
Educational Timeline
1962: The College of WoosterChemistry Major, Phi Delta Sigma Leader
Master's: MITAdvanced Chemistry Studies
PhD Studies: Ohio State UniversityOrganic Chemistry
PhD: University of VermontTransferred with research professor
Postdoc: Harvard UniversityWith Nobel Laureate R.B. Woodward
At Wooster, David was an outstanding student and a leader of Phi Delta Sigma, known as the "athletic fraternity". David, the academic, who decided to affiliate with the athletes, provided early insights into David's ability to lead, enjoy and earn the respect of a broad range of people and organizations.
Professor and Author
As a professor at the University of Delaware, David authored a college chemistry textbook before deciding to help lead the revolution in scientific instrumentation at Nicolet Instrument Corporation. His transition from academia to industry demonstrated his versatility and vision for applying scientific knowledge to real-world challenges.
Revolutionary Work in Medical Technology
David's work on the then nascent MRI technology provided a breakthrough in non-invasive soft tissue diagnostics. Nicolet loaned David to General Electric for a 3-year stint to help them successfully bring the MRI technology to the mass medical market before returning to Nicolet to work on new groundbreaking challenges across many technologies.
Career at Nicolet/Thermo Fisher Scientific
Through various corporate consolidations, Nicolet eventually became a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, with David remaining with the company throughout his career. Thermo Fisher Scientific continues as a world leader in analytical instruments and is still benefiting from David's patented work relating to MRI and Hearing Aid technologies.
Return to Fredericktown - Community Service
After retirement, David returned to Fredericktown to be close to family and enjoy their traditions. David immediately became involved in the local activities, demonstrating the same dedication to service that characterized his entire life.
Maple Syrup Production
Optimized the process for producing the superb "Dalrymple Family Maple Syrup"
Red Cross Volunteer
Made frequent blood donations to serve the community
Tax Preparation
Prepared pro-bono income tax returns for retirees
Alumni Association Leadership Legacy
Perhaps David's most lasting local contributions will be as the President of the FHS Alumni Association. Under David's leadership the Alumni Association established a bigger vision for the alumni's "Freddies Helping Freddies" scholarship fund.
Transformational Leadership Results
8 Years
Presidential Leadership
$750,000+
Scholarship Fund Corpus
From $10,000
Starting Fund Amount
28 → 29
Fully Endowed Scholarships
In eight years, under David's leadership the scholarship fund corpus grew from under $10,000 with zero endowed scholarships to a corpus of over $750,000 with 28 fully endowed scholarships available for award or renewal every year.
The 29th Scholarship - A Brother's Tribute
This 29th endowed scholarship is sponsored by David's brother, Richard, and will be first awarded in 2024. The scholarship represents not just a memorial to David's life, but a continuation of his vision for supporting future generations of Fredericktown students.
Richard's Tribute
"David accomplished so much in his life without fanfare, he shunned recognition and credit for anything he did. It is important that future generations of Freddies be inspired by David's life and realize that they can start at FHS and impact the whole world."
From Fredericktown to Global Impact
David's life story demonstrates that excellence in education, combined with dedication and vision, can lead from small-town beginnings to worldwide influence. His contributions to medical technology through MRI development and hearing aid innovations continue to benefit millions of people globally, while his leadership of the Alumni Association ensures that future Freddies have the support they need to pursue their own paths to success.
David L. Dalrymple's Legacy
A humble innovator who moved from FHS to global impact through groundbreaking work in medical technology, while never forgetting his roots. His leadership transformed the Alumni Association and his example shows that Freddies can indeed change the world.