Hanover, N.H. — David Paul Hanlon of Hanover, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, at the age of 84. Dave had been living at Wheelock Terrace on Buck Road in Hanover for the past 12 years. His family is forever grateful to the staff and residence of Wheelock Terrace for the dedication and exceptional support, care and friendship.

David was born April 22, 1933, in Atlantic City, N.J. to Alda and David Hanlon. As a young man, he enjoyed life growing up on the Atlantic seacoast.

David attended and graduated from Montclaire State College, the University of New Hampshire, and earned his PhD in Biology at the University of Vermont. He taught Biochemistry at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover and at the University of Vermont, but his favorite teaching job was at the New Hampshire Penitentiary.

David has always had a passion for classical music, the arts, foreign languages (which he fluently spoke many of, including Gaelic), and writing short stories with a rapier sense of humor. He completed such works as: The Newly Discovered Works of Captain Lemuel Gulliver and a translation of The Woodcutters Doctor. Many people knew David from the Dartmouth track and field center, where he spent a lot of time. He ran a number of marathons, and later became a master sprinter. He was also an avid outdoors man-he was at home in nature.

David is predeceased by his son, James Hanlon and survived by his brother, Norman Hanlon and family of New Jersey. He leaves behind his two remaining children, Elizabeth Hanlon and her husband, Richard Jennings of Canaan, N.H., and Steve Hanlon and his wife, Kelly also of Canaan; his granddaughters, Jessica Batty, her husband Jason, and their children Ava and Finley of New Zealand, and Gwendolyn Cook of Hartford, Vt.; his ex-wife Joyce Henson of New Jersey and his beloved friend Marguerite Stevens of California.

David had a special place in his heart for animals, especially Huskies and wolves. We ask that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in David’s name to the Upper Valley Humane Society at https://uvhs.org

We will be holding a celebration of Dave’s life “Celtic Style” at the Salt Hill Pub in Lebanon, N.H. on Friday. Dec. 9 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please come and share this special occasion with his family and friends.

To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit, www.rand-wilson.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover.