Stephen F. Dale

The family of Dr. Stephen F. Dale mourn his passing in Tulsa on Wednesday, July 23rd at the age of 92. Steve Dale was born on June 8, 1922, the son of Laura and Samuel Dale of San Diego, CA, the youngest of 3 children. He worked at his beloved Point Loma lighthouse as a teenager and later completed dental school at USC. He met the love of his life, Beverly Rodolf of Tulsa, on a blind date while in college. After wooing her with a charm bracelet of Cracker Jack charms he crafted out of dental gold, they became engaged while on a trip to Mexico City with Beverly’s mother. They were married in Tulsa in 1946 and reported to Stewart Air Base, an auxiliary of West Point, where he was in the Army Air Corps Dental Division. Their first child was born there. After the war, they settled in San Diego where Steve built a busy dental practice. Beverly and Steve’s second child was born there and their early marriage was filled with great friends who remained close their entire lives. They returned to Tulsa in 1951 where they had three additional children and Steve established his own dental practice. He loved the practice of dentistry and many of his loyal patients called him "Dr. Painless." He grew one of the largest practices in the tri-state area. His was the first dental office in the Utica Square Medical Building. When he retired 50 years later, he had been one of the building’s longest tenants. Steve served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Presbyterian Church and as Chairman of The Christian Service Board. He was also a member of the Tulsa Rotary and was a life member of the Woodbury Gold Foil Study Club. When he wasn’t working, Steve enjoyed snow skiing, water sports, golf and fishing. For 25 years, he joined his San Diego friends for a houseboat fishing trip on Lake Powell returning home with wonderful stories to tell. He gave his family a charmed life, which included summers at Grand Lake, skiing in Colorado and cross-country trips in the family station wagon. He was an extraordinary storyteller, often regaling an adventure surrounded by his children and grandchildren until all were crying with laughter. He had an acerbic wit and turn of phrase that was delightful. Beverly called him her “Rock” which epitomized his unflappable love, strength, dependability and fortitude. To his children he was a role model, to his grandchildren a hero. We will be forever grateful for his warmth, youthful demeanor and an indescribable twinkle he shared with those he loved. He enjoyed music of the 30’s and 40’s, a great joke, a good cocktail, a heated political debate, and, above all, to be surrounded by his family with his beautiful bride by his side. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; children Lysbeth Cain, Stevie (and Bob) Shipley, Frank (and Sara) Dale, Lori (and Matt) McNearney and Katee (and Nic) Waller; his grandchildren Thomas and Stephen Manning, Nicole Frangione, Blake Shipley, Frank and Byron Dale, Natalie Pierce, Ross and Sean McNearney, Andrew and Stephen Leach; step-grandchildren Stephen Evans and Joanna Lundberg; eight great-grandchildren, and adoring nieces and nephews. We will all miss him so. A memorial service and reception will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 709 S. Boston, on Monday, July 28 at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family is thankful for contributions made in Steve’s name to The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (4606 E. 62nd St, Suite 103, 74136).

Stephen F. Dale

June 8, 1922 - July 23, 2014