Dan Lassiter Philen

Dan Lassiter Philen, 66, of Atlanta, GA, passed away on Monday April 15, 2013 of natural causes. He was born in Sheffield, AL, June 25, 1946, to Georgia Lee Lassiter and Ernest Arvil Philen. Dan graduated from Landon High School in Jacksonville, FL, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Auburn University in 1968. After 2 years in the army, Dan attended graduate school at Texas AandM University where he earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1975. This was followed by post-doctoral work at Rice University and the University of Maryland. He joined the staff of the Georgia Tech Engineering Experiment Station in 1976, and later worked for ATandT Bell Laboratories in Norcross GA for 22 years, during which time he published many technical papers and shared in several patents. After retirement from ATandT Dan taught Chemistry at several local colleges and universities, including Emory and Auburn, where he was always a favorite of his students. Dan was an ardent antique car enthusiast, amateur photographer, and dog lover, among his many avocations. Dan is survived by his daughter, Dana Ross Philen, his son, Glenn Walker McElroy Philen, and his former wife, Rossanne McElroy Philen. A memorial service will be held at First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta, on Friday April 26, at 2 pm. Dan will be interred at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL., on Saturday, April 27, at 2 pm. Donations in Dan's memory may be made to the Auburn University Foundation and mailed to COSAM Philen Scholarship, 315 Roosevelt Concourse, Auburn, AL 36849. A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory




Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033