Daniel Robert Welch

Dan was the son of Lester and Margaret Welch, who predeceased him. He was the adoring husband of Elaine Robbins Welch, the father of Martin (Shawnda) Welch and Jennifer (Eric) Engberson, and the grandfather of five wonderful young men - Drew, Grant, Kory, Blake, and Ashton. He also leaves behind a number of cherished and faithful lifetime friends, who appreciated his irreverent wit and keen intelligence.

Dan was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his Master’s degree from the University of Alaska. He was a veteran, having served 5 years in the United States Air Force. Early in his career, he worked in the field of substance abuse for the State of North Carolina until relocating to Pennsylvania, returning to Raleigh upon retirement.

Dan was an active member of Lahaska Ironman, an all-volunteer foundation supporting charities serving children in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He helped organize and staff an annual fundraiser for several years, helping raise over $250,000. He donated his labor and skills to the construction of a preschool for children of residents of A Woman’s Place, domestic violence shelter.

Dan was an enthusiastic bicyclist, and he and Elaine often planned vacations to explore new bike trails. He was an avid birdwatcher with a vast knowledge about birds of North America, particularly shore birds and raptors. His favorite place to bike and birdwatch was the Assateague National Wildlife Refuge and he and Elaine visited there as often as possible. He was also a weather watcher and storm spotter. He maintained a home weather station and journal for over 30 years.

In accordance with Dan’s wishes, there will be no services.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy do so in the form a donation in Dan’s name to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina at 1924 Capital Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 or online at https://foodbankcenc.org/