Dan Mears, exemplary husband, father, leader and friend, passed-away on May 31, 2013 after battling pancreatic cancer for 15 months. His longevity and mostly good quality of life during this battle is attributed to the excellent medical care at the La Jolla Scripps Green Hospital and his incredibly positive attitude. His care included early participation in a clinical trial program expected to advance the search for an ultimate cure for this disease. His spirit inspired all who knew him during this time. Moreover, his life and faith have been enriched through this journey by the love, prayers and support from his family, friends and colleagues.

Dan is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Susan Fielder Mears and his two children and their families: son John Mears and wife, Amy; daughter, Susan (Mears) Mitchell and husband, Mick, and their sons, Everett and Daniel. He has two surviving sisters in his home state of North Carolina and a loving extended family in that area. His friend and first wife, Georgia Lippincott also survives him. In addition, Susan Fielder Mears has five surviving brothers and their respective families.

Dan’s career started in San Diego in 1969 at General Atomics, where he could apply his PhD in Nuclear Engineering, earned at NC State. His work advanced the High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) – a superior nuclear power alternative destined for the future. His career track included developing and managing Gas-Cooled Reactor Associates (GCRA), a utility/energy user-owned company in support of HTGR development in the late 1970s to the early1990s. Since 1992, he served as the founder and president of Technology Insights, an ongoing, broad-based advanced energy technology and project-development consulting firm.

Memorial services were held on June 9th at 2:00 PM at the Village Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe, followed by a reception celebrating Dan’s life. Dan has donated his body to UCSD Brain Observatory as well as the UCSD Anatomical Materials program to support medical research and training. His soul has been entrusted to our Highest Authority. He “exited dancing” and awaits us all in God’s Love!