David M. Anderson, Ph.D.

Dr. David M. Anderson, 87, resident of Bethlehem, PA and Mashpee, MA died on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. He was a longtime expert on dust diseases and their control and former Bethlehem Steel environmental executive. Dr. Anderson had a 60-year career in three distinct areas: 10 years in research at Harvard University and the U.S. Public Health Service, 34 years at Bethlehem Steel, and 15 years as a consultant specializing in asbestos diseases.

Born July 19, 1930 in Boston, MA, the son of Martin Jens and Dorothy (Finnin) Anderson. A 1948 graduate of Boston Latin School, he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (1953) from Northeastern University and a Master of Science (1955) and Ph.D (1958) from Harvard University in Industrial Hygiene/Environmental Health. As a co-op student (1950) and then as a Research Fellow (1953-1958) he worked with the Harvard Air Cleaning Laboratory, a joint venture between the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and Harvards Department of Industrial Hygiene to develop new techniques for aerosol filtration and obtained a patent. Dr. Andersons relationship with Harvard extended throughout his career, i.e., Industrial Hygiene Department Head search committee (1967); Visiting Lecturer (faculty appointment) (1969-1981); and Harvard Center for Risk Analysis (advisor) (1989-1994).

From 1958 to 1960, he was a Public Health Engineer in the U.S. Public Health Services Division of Air Pollution and conducted a comprehensive study of the causes and effects of air pollution in Pennsylvania. His report served as the technical basis for Pennsylvanias 1960 Air Pollution Control Act, the first such statewide law in the country.

In 1960, he joined Bethlehem Steels Department of Environmental Quality Control as Environmental Health Engineer, was named Asst. Manager in 1967 and Manager in 1970, retiring in 1994 as General Manager of Environmental Affairs. He was appointed to many academic and government advisory posts in the 1960s and 1970s, most notably (besides Harvard): PA Dept. of Health, Council of Technical Advisers (chairman, 5 years); Penn State University, visiting lecturer (5 years); National Academy of Sciences (biological effects of air pollutants committee, 4 years); Environmental Protection Agency (Science Advisory Board, 5 years); and U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (black lung research, 4 years). He worked closely with EPA and Congress, testified before Congressional committees, and led the industrys campaign for cost-effective control technology. This included working with Vice President Bush in his role as regulatory reform chief for President Reagan in the early 1980s.

From 1994 to 2009 he developed a new career as a consultant and expert witness on the health effects of exposures to mineral dusts, especially asbestos, in toxic tort litigation. He specialized in the use of epidemiological dose-response models to assess the contribution of defendants products to workers dust diseases.

Dr. Anderson enjoyed traveling with his wife, Marjorie, and had visited most of the countries in North and South America, Europe, eastern and southern Africa and eastern and southeastern Asia. In retirement they divided their time between their homes in Bethlehem and on Cape Cod. He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church in Bethlehem, PA and Christ the King Catholic Church in Mashpee, MA. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and an avid movie buff.

Dr. Anderson is survived by his wife Marjorie, four children and six grandchildren: David R. Anderson of Clinton, NJ, his wife Jane, their children Erik and Adam; Michael M. Anderson of Clinton, NJ, his wife Courtenay, their children John and Emma; Anne M. Penkal of Harleysville, PA, her husband Paul, their children Paul and Julia; and Stephen G. Anderson of Bethlehem, PA. He is also survived by a brother, Gerald P. Anderson of West Barnstable, MA. He was preceded in death by his sister, Joan Martin.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Pl #170 Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Calling Hours
Friday, May 25, 2018
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, May 25, 2018
11:00 AM
Notre Dame Catholic Church
1861 Catasauqua Rd
Bethlehem PA 18018
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531