Dr. David Olin Carpenter, who helped save and resurrect the Brakettes with his sponsorship of the team since 1995, died on June 22, 2007, with his wife Dorothy at his side. David died following a lengthy and courageous battle with several ailments. For the past 12 years, David and the Carpenter family have been the quiet and unassuming, yet very supportive sponsors of the Brakettes. David’s passing is a huge loss for those of us who were fortunate enough to have made his acquaintance. Throughout his battle to regain his own health, David was still thinking of others and how he could help make their lives better.

Dr. Carpenter was born and raised in Woodhull, NY. He went on to attend Alfred University and earned a PH.D in Ceramic Engineering. David founded the Electric Arc Furnace Dust Recycling industry in the late 70’s, and as CEO, led the development of the world leader, Horsehead Resource Development Corp (HRD).

David started his career with The New Jersey Zinc Company (NJZ) in 1963. Amongst many accomplishments during this time, he developed coatings essential to the first NASA Mars landers. In 1976, David was named the head of NJZ’s Metals and Minerals Research Division and received several promotions thereafter.

In 1981, David and other executives founded Horsehead Industries, which acquired NJZ from Gulf & Western. Under his watch, the company grew into a Fortune 500 manufacturing company with over $1 billion in sales, with David serving as President and Chief Operating Officer until 1996.

Perhaps his most significant achievement was leading the development and commercialization of the EAF Dust recycling industry. EAF Dust is a hazardous by-product of the mini-mill steel industry that previously had to be land filled. David, in conjunction with fellow team members, developed a process utilizing various technologies to recycle all of the contained material for re-use. Horsehead created a separate subsidiary for this business, HRD, for which David was CEO until its IPO. HRD was and remains the industry’s world leader, having recycled more than seven million tons of EAF Dust.

David was also active in his community and with charities. Amongst many activities, he served as a trustee and treasurer of the Palmerton Hospital for more than 10 years.

In 2006, David and Brakettes’ Manager John Stratton, who were long-time friends, received the Sterling Spirit Award, which recognizes sportsmanship in the state of Connecticut. David was a down to earth, every day guy who would eat breakfast at the diner, pay to get into the ballpark, grab a hotdog at the stand, and then watch his favorite team go out and play a doubleheader. He wouldn’t leave until he knew the game was in hand. Even on those days when he underwent dialysis, which sapped most of his energy, he made every effort to be at DeLuca Field to watch his Brakettes play. He took as much pride in the Brakettes as the management, staff, and the Brakettes themselves, take in perpetuating this great tradition.

Dave’s last trip to DeLuca Field was Sunday morning, May 27 to see his Brakettes beat the Quebec Rebelles. He fell ill later that night and he had been hospitalized ever since. The entire Brakettes organization will forever owe a debt of gratitude to David, who truly epitomized the meaning of the word “gentleman”.

Dr. Carpenter was above all else, dedicated to his family and friends. He would credit his wife, Dorothy, for much of his success. They met in 1952 and were married for more than 50 years. David is survived by Dorothy, their two children, Carla Ann Prather and David James Carpenter, and four grandchildren.