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

  • Partnership announced between Econolite and Savari
    October 10, 2016
    Econolite Group has used the ITS World Congress Melbourne to announce it has entered into negotiations with Savari to form a partnership to accelerate the deployment of connected and automated vehicle technologies and solutions. The partners will focus on vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) safety applications.
  • Max Lay Award winner announced by ITS Australia
    December 10, 2024
    Organisation's highest honour goes to Western Australia ITS veteran
  • Trafficware: Digitised transport tech ‘is the new asphalt’
    April 16, 2019

    Trafficware provides the tech to manage intersections all over the world. Colin Sowman asks CEO Jon Newhard about the ‘questions behind the questions’

    Last year, Trafficware CEO Jon Newhard negotiated the company’s acquisition by Cubic Corporation and now serves as general manager of Trafficware within Cubic’s Transportation Systems business unit.

  • Do we need a new approach to ITS and traffic management?
    January 31, 2012
    In an article which has implications for the European Electronic Toll Service, ASECAP's Kallistratos Dionelis asks whether the approach we currently take to major ITS system implementations is always the best or healthiest. I was asked recently to write a paper on the technology-oriented future of transport. To paraphrase, I started with: "The goal of European policy-makers is to establish a transport system which meets society's economic, social and environmental needs, satisfying in parallel a rising dema