The Rev. Daniel G. Gambet, OSFS, 92, a professed member of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 73 years, died Feb. 28, 2022.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was a son of the late Irving and Katherine Glanville Gambet.

He attended Blessed Sacrament grade school and was a 1947 graduate of Central Catholic HS, Toledo, Ohio.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Niagara University; a Master of Arts degree from The Catholic University of America; and a Doctorate in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

He entered the Oblates and made his first profession of vows on Sept. 8, 1948; perpetual profession Oct. 8, 1951; and was ordained a priest June 8, 1957.

He then taught Latin, French, and religion at Father Judge HS, Philadelphia, until 1958; then, until 1963, he taught Latin and French at Salesianum School, Wilmington, Delaware, where he was prefect of discipline.

He was Academic Dean and a teacher of History and Latin at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales (De Sales University) from 1965 until 1972. From then until 1978, he was Provincial of the Wilmington/Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.

He was, as of 1978, the second president of DeSales University until his retirement in 1999. Under his leadership, the University recorded tremendous growth in academic reputation as well as enrollment. The student body grew from 850 to 2,300; graduate education was introduced as well as a broad spectrum of undergraduate majors. The budget was balanced in each of the 20 years of Father Gambet’s tenure.

During his years as president of the University, Fr. Gambet served on the boards of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities, CICU, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, and Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was a director at the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company. In retirement, as president emeritus, he maintained an office at the University and assisted with fundraising and community relations. He was active in local and regional organizations, including the Harry C. Trexler Trust and Channel 39, Lehigh Valley PBS. He was a board member of the Executive Service Corps of the Lehigh Valley, a trustee of the Keystone Nazareth Charitable Foundation, and an executive board member of the Minsi Trails Council, BSA. He was a public speaker in the valley and beyond; Father Gambet presented at nearly every local community group, diocesan function, and parish event.

He received the Distinguished Citizen Award, Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts, the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Lehigh County Senior Citizens’ Center, the Greater Northeastern Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives Outstanding Fund-Raising Executive Award, the Francis J. Michelini Award for Outstanding Service in Pennsylvania private higher education in 2000, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Eastern PA Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Raoul W. Wallenberg Award from the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College. He received honorary degrees from Lehigh University, Lafayette, Moravian and Muhlenberg Colleges.

He is survived by a niece, Kathy Normandy.

Contributions may be made to DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley, Pa. 18034, for The Rev. Daniel G. Gambet, OSFS Endowed Scholarship, to honor his contributions to the region. Visit www.jamesfuneralhome.org or alumni.desales.edu/gambet

James Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem, is assisting Hicks Home for Funerals, Elkton, Md., with local arrangements.