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Paul Daniel, 87, professor emeritus of zoology, died June 3 in Adamstown, Md. He was formerly of Oxford. Daniel joined the Miami faculty in 1959. He retired from teaching in 1989, and was curator of Miami’s Hefner Zoology Museum from 1989 through 1999.
Daniel served as the president of the Ohio Academy of Science and helped to start Miami's Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES, now the Institute for Sustainability and the Environment).
His professional accomplishments included contributions to various local, state and national natural history publications, field guides and teaching curriculum.
Among many awards, Daniel received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement in Environmental Sciences Award given by the IES. He was named Outstanding University Educator by the Ohio Academy of Science in 1988. He was also honored with the creation and dedication of the Dr. Paul Daniel Trail Volunteer Cabin at Hueston Woods State Park.
Daniel began his undergraduate studies at Miami after serving in the Army during World War II. He enlisted in 1942 in the U.S. Army 34th Infantry Division where he saw combat duty in North Africa and Italy, earning Purple Heart and Silver Star medals.
He completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Cincinnati in 1949. He taught for a year at Western College for Women in Oxford, and then taught at Cuttington College in Liberia, West Africa, before earning his master’s degree at Miami in 1954. He taught science at Oxford’s Stewart School and was a founding faculty member of Talawanda High School. He earned his doctorate at Ohio State University in 1964.
Daniel was very active in the Oxford community, starting with his service as the scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 930 while he was a Miami undergraduate. His involvement with Oxford's various scout troops and explorer posts spanned almost 40 years and his impact on young people was recognized with Boy Scouting's Silver Beaver award.
He served for four years on Oxford City Council and was an active supporter of the Oxford NAACP chapter and the Audubon Society, and was a founder of PUSH (People United for Self Help) providing resources for low-income homeowners. He was recognized for his many years of service with Oxford's Citizen of the Years award.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Oxford United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his sister Elizabeth Daniel of Northport Fla.; sons Christopher of Frankfort Ky.; Timothy of Philadelphia, Pa.; Anthony of Oak Hill, W.Va.; daughter Emily of Frederick, Md.; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Oxford area "EMU" elementary education program at Environmental Mobile Unit, 5431 Tallawanda Lane, Oxford, OH 45056.
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