He lived on the family farm with his three siblings until he left to serve in the US Navy when he was drafted at eighteen years of age.
He was stationed on the USS Saint Lo, which was an escort aircraft carrier. He was in the Pacific Ocean during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which was considered to be the largest naval battle of the second world war. The Saint Lo became the first major warship to sink as the result of a kamikaze attack. He sustained serious third-degree burns in the attack, and the ship was sunk. Out of 889 men, 126 lives were lost that day. Dale was rescued by the USS Dennis after 5 hours in the water. Dale recovered from his injuries after a six-month stay in the hospital in Astoria, Oregon, and returned to duty.
After he was discharged from the Navy, he stayed in Portland, Oregon. He met his sweetheart Patricia Schwager at church; they married and adopted two children Ruth and John.
Dale worked for the US Postal service for 33 years and retired in 1983 with an exemplary record.
Dale was an active member of his local church and a wonderful family man. He enjoyed model railroading, model building, and woodworking as a hobby, and he also played the accordion.
Dale was always helping where needed. I am sure his name is listed in the dictionary under the word “Faithful”; He was never late, always did what he said he would do, and never reneged on a commitment that he made. Dales passed away at 95 years old peacefully at his home in Vancouver, WA, on October 13th, 2020. He will be greatly missed, but he wants you to know he is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for all eternity.
On his birthday, April 7th, 2020, his wish before he blew out the candles was for the Lord to take him home. He was tired of being on the earth and missed his wife, Patricia, deeply.
The Lord heard his prayer.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Schwager family.
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