March 24, 2015
Dale was a graduate of Elder High School. He attended UC, then was drafted during the Vietnam War. He joined the Navy, serving for four years on an aircraft carrier, mainly in the Mediterranean. At the end of his service he was discharged in Europe, where he embarked on a one year bicycle tour, mainly of the highways & byways in Germany. Back in Cincinnati he completed his Master’s degree in electrical engineering. His major employment was at McDonnell Douglas & GE Aviation, along the way working on computer control systems for fighter jets. During this time he was married (Joan) & divorced, no children. When GE had mass layoffs in the late 80s, Dale turned to his home maintenance skills, becoming a self-employed handyman.
Dale was a keen member of the Sierra club, both lobbying on conservation interests, and taking part in many outdoors activities. These included backpacking, day hikes, whitewater canoeing and cycling. He took part in many Morning Glory Rides, as well as the Friday night bike riding on the West Side. Dale also played an active part in many service outings to Red River Gorge. Many footbridges on those trails were repaired in whole or in part by Dale. He also played volleyball at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, and from the mid 90s took up square dancing again, partnering with Sue Johnstone (also a Miami Group Sierra Club member).
Unfortunately back issues curtailed Dale’s Sierra club activities in his last decade, after which he was stricken with Parkinson’s disease. However, he was able to continue square dancing until a year or so before his death, and undertake a trip to New Zealand not long before he died.
