Noel Desch

Noel was born in Albany NY on Christmas Day 1932 to Charles H. Desch and Ida Orth Desch. He died at home on January 27th, 2021, with his loving family by his side. He will be remembered as a loving husband of 65 years to his very caring wife Janet, and a loving father to his children. He is survived by his son John and his wife Kathleen and their children Christopher and his wife Jennifer, and Nikki; his son William and his wife Ashley Oates; and his daughter Elizabeth and her husband William Shaff and their son Noel and his two great grandchildren Elizabeth and John. He is also survived by several in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Kenneth and Charles, and sister Carolyn Silvernail.

Noel earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Norwich University in 1955 and his Masters in Civil Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1957. He served 9 years in the US Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Captain. In 1958 he joined the Physical Plant staff at Cornell University. During his 20-year tenure he became a Chief Design Engineer and Director of Maintenance and Facilities. During the second half of his career at Cornell, he served as Associate Director of the Materials Science Center from which he retired in 1998. He was a licensed Professional Engineer in NY State and a member of Chi Epsilon, the national civil engineering honor society.

Noel served as the Town of Ithaca Supervisor for 12 years and was one of the founders of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission.

He thought it was important to give back to the community and considered it a privilege to serve as a member on many community boards including Cayuga Medical Center, United Way, and Challenge Industries. He was a life member of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce (chair in 2000), was a long time member of the Ithaca Rotary Club, was a Past Master of Hobasco Lodge #716 F&AM, and served as President of the Friends of Ithaca College. His awards include the Family and Children’s Services Agda Osborne Award, the 2007 David Morehouse Award for his tireless work on restoring and protecting the water resources of the Cayuga Lake Watershed, the Key Person Award from Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, The Tompkins County Distinguished Citizen of the year Award from the Boy Scouts Baden Powell Council, and the NY State 2003 Trustee of the Year for his work as the President of the Longview Board of Directors.

Noel will be remembered as a kind, patient man of integrity. He treated everyone with respect, appreciation, and fairness.  He frequently said, “Every day is a gift” and lived every day to its fullest.

He loved his children and grandchildren and they loved him. He spent many hours with them and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and love of nature through long hikes and endless projects. To them Noel was known as an avid listener. “He listened to everyone. And when he spoke, you listened.” It was this quiet strength that encouraged them to always strive to be their best and know that they would always be loved unconditionally.

Time heals the pain and love heals the heart. His loving smile will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew him.

A memorial service will be held in the summer and will be announced in the future. Donations in Noel’s memory can be made to:

Gadabout 737 Willow Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850

Or Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County

210 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850