A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, at 12 PM, at Clarkfield City Cemetery.

Dale Elon Anderson, a man whose life spanned nearly a century, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, in Bend, Oregon. He was just forty-nine days shy of his 98th birthday. Born on July 19, 1928, in Clarkfield, Minnesota, to Albin and Ruth (Severson) Ander­son, Dale lived a life filled with curiosity, creativ­ity, and dedication.

Dale’s early years were shaped by his education and a deep thirst for knowledge. After graduat­ing from Clarkfield High School in Minnesota, he attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. His passion for aeronautics led him to the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he earned an Engineer’s License. He graduated from California State Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical En­gineering. Dale also achieved an MBA from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Dale met his wife, Liz, while they both attend­ed Gustavus Adolphus College. Married Decem­ber 28, 1949, in Lake City, Minnesota, they shared nearly 72 years before Liz’s passing in 2021. They raised two children, Steve and Sue, while living and working in Southern California. After retir­ing in 1989, Dale and Liz relocated to Bend, Ore­gon in 1990.

Dale worked at Rockwell International on the Apollo program lunar mission, contributing to one of humanity’s most significant achieve­ments—landing on the moon. His work brought him into contact with astronauts and pioneers of space exploration. A highlight of his career was receiving his 30-year service pin from James McDivitt, one of the command pilots on a lunar mission.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dale was a man of many talents and passions. Music played a central role in his life; he per­formed with several bands over the years, in­cluding The Alley Cats, The Old Time Fiddlers, and the Bitterbrush Band. As a dedicated musi­cian, he played both the electric bass and upright bass. His love for music extended to craftsman­ship—he built over a dozen musical instruments by hand, including Appalachian dulcimers, vio­lins, and harps.

Dale’s creativity wasn’t limited to music; he was also an accomplished woodworker who built furniture in his workshop. He found joy in out­door activities such as hiking, cross-country ski­ing, biking, and exercise workouts. A proponent of healthy living, he enjoyed cooking and sharing nutritious meals. Relishing his role as an admin­istrator, Dale organized monthly social gath­erings for his Touchmark neighbors, including potlucks, sing-a-longs, and guest musicians.

He and his wife, Liz, dedicated their early re­tirement years to volunteering with Wycliffe Bible Translators at various locations across the United States for several months each year. They were active members of Bend Church of the Naz­arene and participated in Bible studies and home groups.

Dale is survived by his son Steve and wife Randi; their children Ruth (Caleb), Anna, Martin, Margaret (Miki), Rebekah (Mason), Sam (Aman­da), Kandis (Ray); and fourteen great-grandchil­dren. He is also survived by his daughter, Sue and husband Scott; their children Hannah, Beth (Dustin), Cora (Aaron); and two great-grand­children. He is also survived by his sisters Bev Heemstra of Sheldon, Iowa, Carroll Albertson of Burlington, Vermont, and brother Charles of Clarkfield, Minnesota.

He was predeceased by his parents, Liz, his wife; brothers Glenn and Ronald; brothers-in-law Rod, Don, and Ben; sisters-in-law Hallie and Evelyn; and grandson-in-law John.

A Memorial Gathering was held on July 25, 2026, at Bend Church of the Nazarene in Bend, Ore­gon. Memorial gifts may be designated to the Or­egon Old Time Fiddlers Association: www.ootfa.org or to Bend Church of the Nazarene,1270 NE 27th Street, Bend, OR 97701