“former Dresser engineer”

CUBA, NY—David E. “Dave” Shemeld, 84, of Cuba, NY,  passed away after a brief illness on Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Wellsville Manor. 

Dave was born May 13, 1939, to Irving and Marguerite Shemeld in Upper Darby, PA who predeceased him.  Dave married Mary Sue Rathbun in 1963 at the Methodist Church in Olean, NY who survives.

During his formative years his family moved to East Derry NH from Upper Darby, where Dave attended the local Pinkerton Academy High School in Derry Village.  In 1961 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from Penn State University in University Park, PA.

After graduation, Dave began his career in Olean NY with Clark Bros. Co. through their orientation training program.  From 1963-1968 Dave worked in Contract Engineering supporting both the Olean and Buffalo NY offices.  In 1968 he and his family moved to Tokyo Japan when he was promoted to Manager of Engineering at Nippon Clark Machinery LTD. 

In 1971 the family returned to Olean NY where during the next 17 years Dave worked at Dresser Clark in the marketing and engineering departments.  He returned from Japan as Manager Contract, Systems & Controls Engineering and in the late seventies he was promoted to Market Manager, Process Market.  In the early eighties Dave served as Vice President Engineering and he finished out the decade as the Vice President Product Management – Small Gas Turbine in Olean.

Dave transferred to Dresser Roots, Connersville, IN in 1989 as the Manager of Engineering.  He became the Managing Director/Holmes Operations in Huddersfield, England for the years 1991 to 1994.  After this period, he returned to Connersville as the Director of Centrifugal Business Units.  Dave returned to Olean, NY in 1999 as the Director of Engineering Operations for the Olean & Wellsville locations of Dresser Rand.  Dave retired from Dresser Rand after 42 years of service.

Throughout his career, Dave was an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).  Dave enjoyed boating on Cuba Lake, photography, traveling and golfing.

Survived by his loving wife of 60 years; his children Gregory Shemeld of Franklinville NY, daughters Pamela Shemeld of Chesterfield, VA and Brenda Kasztelan of Houston, TX; sisters Sylvia Edwards of Cincinnati, OH and Sandra Sedam of N. Plainfield, NJ; brother-in-law Howard Rathbun of Shinglehouse, PA and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a private calling for family at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home in Shinglehouse, PA, followed immediately after by a celebration of life.  The Rev. Russell J. Horning of Shinglehouse, will officiate.

Memorials may be made to the Ischua Volunteer Fire Department, 5634 NY 16, Hinsdale, NY 14743 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Dave’s family entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Dave, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L.  Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.