Captain Daniel M. Karcher, USN (Ret.), died peacefully January 13 at Reston Hospital, Reston, VA. Dan was born on September 4, 1920 in Philadelphia, PA to Walter T. and Mary Clark Karcher of Marion, PA. At age sixteen, he enlisted in the Fleet Reserve, from which in 1939 he won a competitive appointment to U.S. Naval Academy. Upon graduation in 1942, he reported to ERICSSON (DD440), and spent the war years escorting convoys, chasing submarines, assaulting targets in Southern Europe and finally occupying Japan. In 1946 he commissioned FECHTELER (DD870), then commenced post graduate instruction in Ordnance Engineering, followed by two years in Floyd B. PARKS (DD884), with WestPac and Korean War operations. His first assignment ashore was with Bureau of Ordnance, followed by duty with Navy Shipbuilding Representative Europe, involved in The Marshall Plan. Then came commands of HENLEY (DD762) and DUPONT (DD941), assignment as SECOND Fleet Logistics Officer, instruction at Armed Forces Industrial College and two years with CNO (OP60). During that time Dan acquired an M.B.A. from George Washington University and sea duty again, first as Commander DesDiv 142 and then as Chief of Staff to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Six. Dan returned to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 to head Weapons Department, then became Assistant Dean for Midshipman Affairs. He also served as associate editor for Professional Notes of "Proceedings" and for two years was President of Annapolis Chapter of the Alumni Association. From 1967 to 1969, he was Commander Service Force SIXTH FLEET, where he was awarded the Legion of Merit for perfecting underway replenishment operation. His final assignment was Fleet Maintenance Officer in Naval Material Command. Retiring in 1970, Dan joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA to manage licensing agreement between Westinghouse and foreign utilities for Westinghouse nuclear power plant technology. Relocating to Annapolis in 1982, he enjoyed home improvement projects, golf and foreign travel. For twelve years he served on the board of historic Hammond Harwood House. In 1996 the Karchers moved to Falcons Landing, an Air Force Retired Officers Community in Sterling, VA. Dan was preceded in death in 2003 by his first wife of fifty nine years, Jane Elizabeth Moore. He is survived by his wife Mary Anne Murphy, whom he married on October 24, 2005; his son, Daniel M. Karcher V of Alpharetta, GA; two daughters, Elizabeth Karcher Cresap of Crownsville and Meredith Karcher Hilt of Bluemont, VA; his sister, Bette Nordstrom of Woodbridge, VA; and three grandchildren. Dan bequeathed his body to George Washington University Medical Center for scientific studies and research. His ashes will be interred at USNA Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USNA Foundation.