Dale, a native Daytonian, was a product of Dayton Public Schools, attending Belmont Elementary and graduating from Stivers High School, where he was in the marching band and ran the hurdles in track. His brother, Dick, is also a Stivers product, graduating in 1947. Dale attended Ohio University, later receiving his Master’s degree from O.U. He taught in the Dayton Schools and was a principal for most of his thirty years of employment. During that time he served as president of the Dayton School Management Association and of the Dayton Administrators Association. As an avid bowler, Dale bowled in the Schoolmaster Bowling League until shortly before his death in 2011.
Dale had a long and illustrious career as a football, basketball and track and cross country official serving for 50 years in those sports. He was one of the first officials to officiate girls’ basketball. He was especially good at mentoring new officials to better their skills in officiating. He received numerous honors in the field of officiating, among the highest are being inducted into the Ohio High School Association Hall of Fame and receiving the highest awards given by the Ohio coaches association and by the officials association.
After retirement, Dale became involved in teacher retirement organizations. For his services, Dale received a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives honoring his service to the children of Ohio, to retired teachers and to his officiating organizations. Also, Dale truly enjoyed the role of Johnny Appleseed around the state, appearing in costume with a pot on his head and regaling the audience with stories of Johnny’s adventures. Dale also was named Outstanding Dayton Schools Graduate by the Dayton School Management Association in 2002.
Dale led a busy and fulfilling life with his service to others, but above all else he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed participating in kids’ activities. Dale is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Humphreys Van Tine, their children and their spouses, his brother and sister-in-law, grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.
