Skip to main content

Thoughts from Dan’s friends at Econolite

“Dan was an engineer who could dream, design and then sell. He loved to sell, and it came from a love to share. I'm sure that's what he's doing right now – selling and sharing. We loved his free spirit…you never knew what he was going to do or say next…he kept you on the edge of your seat. Dan had several careers throughout his life and he took the best from each one, using that to make his next career step even better. But at the end of the day, he was an engineer who loved to sell and share.” – Econo
September 18, 2012 Read time: 4 mins
“Dan was an engineer who could dream, design and then sell.  He loved to sell, and it came from a love to share.  I'm sure that's what he's doing right now – selling and sharing.  We loved his free spirit…you never knew what he was going to do or say next…he kept you on the edge of your seat.  Dan had several careers throughout his life and he took the best from each one, using that to make his next career step even better.  But at the end of the day, he was an engineer who loved to sell and share.” – Econolite Group CEO Mike Doyle

“Dan was an ideas guy.  He loved to put forth new ways to solve problems and wasn't afraid to suggest unconventional approaches or technologies to solve an issue or address a need.  His passion for ideas was infectious and I enjoyed the time I spent with him bouncing ideas around – I will miss these technology discussions.  Dan was a consummate entrepreneur. He had a wealth of technology resources that he could draw on at short notice. This allowed him to take on a technology challenge and have a proposed solution in short order…sometimes by the next day.  He had this knack for committing to solve a technology challenge without evening knowing if it was initially achievable. He would somehow quickly come up with ideas combined with the right resources to overcome these challenges. I will miss his ‘can-do’ attitude that he brought to our product meetings, and most of all, I will miss his friendship and genuine joy of life.” – Econolite Group Chief Technology Officer Gary Duncan

“Dan embodied the entrepreneurial spirit. He didn’t believe in the concept ‘it can’t be done.’ He came through with new designs and prototypes quickly, and would deliver orders on short notice – often with a couple cases of Diet Coke and a big red bow. Dan was instrumental in the mechanical designs for the video detection cameras to meet the needs of the transportation industry, which continues to leave a profound legacy in ITS.” – Econolite Senior Software Architect Keith Vennel (former ISS director of software engineering)

“Dan Fancher was a true visionary in the world of technology.  His wisdom and imagination was never confined by boundaries, rules, or other people’s opinions.  He had many successes, but the one he was clearly most proud of was his wonderful Fancher-Family. He was one of my great mentors, from afar…and he didn't even know it. His passing is an incredible loss to so many and he will be missed greatly." - Econolite Group VP of Marketing Persephone Oliver

“Any recipe for success, personally and professionally, must include passion. Dan Fancher brought that passion by the truckload everyday…to everything he worked on and to everyone he came in contact. For all those who knew Dan, we're all that much better for knowing him.” – Econolite Autoscope Product Manager Scott Robinson

“I first met Dan Fancher in hot and humid Atlanta, Georgia as Econolite helped install Autoscope cameras in preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympics.  For me, this was the start of many years of collaboration and cooperation on many projects and products. He made the hard work we did fun – and it was often tough to keep up!  Dan had an inventor’s hand in many products that people use routinely. His breakthrough ideas became quality products – like retail anti-shoplifting devices, special surveillance products, and many communications products. His time in the Army and steadfast patriotism inspired a sense of citizenship in all of us. I think we’ll all miss his ‘can-do’ attitude and drive the most.” – Econolite Senior Technical Support Manager Dave Candey

Related Content

  • “It's vital to encourage more newcomers into ITS from a broad range of backgrounds”
    November 27, 2023
    The intelligent transportation industry has a need for young people and the structured learning and practical experience of apprenticeships might help attract them, thinks Alistair Gollop, founder of ITS Now
  • Econolite hires ex-Michigan DoT boss Kirk Steudle
    October 23, 2018
    Econolite has hired one of the best-known names in the ITS industry: Kirk Steudle is joining the company with a remit to fulfil two key roles. Steudle, the former director of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDoT), will be senior vice president, leading Econolite’s Transportation Systems Group and also in charge of CAVita, its connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AV) subsidiary. His responsibilities will include all C/AV projects and large-scale systems projects. Steudle had spent his entire
  • Debating the future of in-vehicle systems
    December 6, 2012
    Industry experts talk to Jason Barnes about the legislative situation of current and future in-vehicle systems. Articles about technology development can have a tendency to reference Moore’s Law with almost indecent regularity and haste but the fact remains that despite predictions of slow-down or plateauing, the pace remains unrelenting. That juxtaposes with a common tendency within the ITS industry: to concentrate on the technology and assume that much else – legislation, business cases and so on – will m
  • Joanna M. Pinkerton: “Mobility should be ubiquitous for people"
    January 3, 2024
    A chance meeting with a US Air Force recruiter may have changed Joanna M. Pinkerton's life: the boss of Central Ohio Transit Authority tells Adam Hill about this and explains why an outcomes-based approach to transportation is so important