Dahyabhai M. "D. M." Patel, 78, of Londonderry, NH, died Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at his home. Mr. Patel was born in Navi Jithardi, Gujarat, India on May 7, 1930, a son of the late Mohanbhai Bapubhai and Devi Patel. He was a resident of Londonderry since 2002, formerly living in Ambler, PA. Mr. Patel came to the U.S. in 1952 and attended the University of MI where he earned his Master’s degree. He attended the University of Iowa to pursue his PhD but left one paper short to take a position with Park Davis Pharmaceuticals. In 1960 he went to work for Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in Switzerland for 9 months and then worked in India for Sandoz. He then returned to the U.S. and to work at Park Davis. In 1965 he moved to PA to work for William H. Rorer, Inc. As a pharmaceutical chemist he was involved in the creation of many common medicinal products used today. In the 1980’s he owned and ran the Best Western Quakertown Motor Inn in Quakertown, PA with his wife. He enjoyed trips with his family, loved classical Indian and classical Western music, was interested in business and enjoyed watching the Nightly Report. He was known for his “sweet tooth” and was a fan of the Red Sox. Mr. Patel was very spiritually disciplined and prayers were very important to him and were a big part of his life. He was a very upbeat person, had a wonderful sense of humor and was a kind and gentle soul.
He is survived by two sons, Sanjay Patel and his wife Shveta of Londonderry, Sunil Patel and his wife Priti of Ambler, PA, three grandchildren, Shalini, Shireen and Hirsh, two brothers, Milan Patel and Soumil Patel, both of Mumbai, India and by two sisters, Sunita Patel of Orlando, FL and Vidhyut Patel of Columbia, SC. He was predeceased by his wife, Ratnaprabha D. Patel in 2007 and by his second mother, Gangaben Patel.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 11:00am in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, with cremation following. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure 13246 Golden Circle, Fenton, MI 48430.