James (Jim) Russell Dasch, a Needham resident for the past 24 years, passed away after a long battle with cancer on March 28, 2017. He was born in Zanesville, OH on February 17, 1956 to Betty C. and the late Clement E. Dasch. He was 61 years old.
Jim was a devoted husband to Amy Lieberman Dasch for 31 years, and loving father to Andrew, Samuel and Peter Dasch. He was an eagle scout in his youth, and an accomplished scientist. He wanted to be remembered as someone who always tried to "do the right thing". He was a soccer enthusiast who played on an adult soccer team up until a few years ago. He also enjoyed traveling, music, watching sports and playing poker with his friends in Needham. He loved trying new cuisines, but always enjoyed a good peanut butter sandwich.
Jim was also a devoted father who coached many of his son's soccer teams, and was active in the cub scouts. His mother-in-law Annette Lieberman adds: ”He was a great son-law, and more, a son to love. There will be an empty space in our family, but it will be filled with happy memories and respect for all he did for us. But more than being a great relative, he was a very good friend to so many.“
Jim was raised in the small town of New Concord, OH, where his father was a professor of entomology at Muskingum College. His mother, Betty Dasch, still resides in his childhood home. He was the youngest of four brothers and many of their childhood summers were spent crisscrossing the country in search of the parasitic wasps his father collected. Jim learned to love science from watching his father.
Jim obtained his BS in Biology from Kenyon College in Ohio, and went on to Case Western Reserve University where he earned his PhD. in Immunology. This is where he met Amy, and together they headed to Stanford University for his post-doctoral fellowship. Jim had a life-long interest in antibody-antigen interactions and was especially interested in harnessing that interaction in the lab. One of the antibodies he created, 1D11, became the basis of decades of drug development in both autoimmune disease and cancer research. In his lab, he inspired many young interns, and took great pleasure in coaching them to go on to graduate programs.
Jim was diagnosed with a very rare cancer in 2004 and went through years of treatment, both here and abroad. He approached his illness as a research problem to be solved and developed a close collaborative relationship with his oncologist, Dr. Matthew Kulke. True to his commitment to furthering the study of his disease, he chose to donate his body to science so that more could be learned.
Besides his wife, Amy Dasch and sons, and mother Betty Dasch, Jim leaves behind his brothers and their wives: Greg and Marina Dasch of Atlanta, GA, Cameron and Jean Dasch of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Richard and Barbara Dasch of Medina, Ohio. He also leaves adored nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews on both sides of the family. Jim also leaves, and was cherished by, Amy's family, including her parents Alan and Annette Lieberman of Chestnut Hill, MA, Josh Lieberman and Marcia Okun of Newton, MA and Beth Lieberman and David Greif of Stamford, CT.
He was an inspiring scientist and teacher, always aspiring to contribute to knowledge and to meeting human needs. His passing is a loss to all.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you consider donating to the Dana-Farber Cancer Research Institute. All funds collected will go further the research of Dr. Matthew Kulke: http://www.myjimmyfundpage.org/give/jimdasch. Guestbook at lawlerfuneralhome.com