Dale F Wahl

On Saturday, August 4, 2018, Dale F. Wahl, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at age 86. Dale was born on August 30, 1931 in Minneapolis, MN to Rudolph and Leona Wahl. He was drafted into the Army, and fought in the Korean War. Dale went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin at Stout. On August 4, 1956, he married his college sweetheart and love of his life, Sarah JoAnn Nash, or “Sally” as Dale called her. Dale worked in the insurance industry, and was promoted to Engineering Manager for Aetna prompting a move to Spokane, WA in 1967. He was a member of the national Board of Directors for the American Society of Safety Engineers, and is past President of the local chapter of ASSE. He continued his career at Continental Insurance in Seattle until he retired in 1999.

Neighbors could always count on Dale to clear the snow from their driveways in the winter, and make them a delicious margarita on the patio in the summer. Dale loved to entertain, especially friends and neighbors on Weile and in Greystone Estates. He was a community servant during numerous United Way campaigns, and he enjoyed working on behalf of the Spokane Lilac Committee. Dale was a member of the El Katif Shrine, the Scottish Rite, and the Minnesota Masons Compass Lodge #265.

Dale loved the outdoors, and he especially enjoyed the water. Summers spent on Lake Washington and Lake Coeur d’Alene are treasured memories. He loved having the grandkids to the boat at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, and taking them to Hudsons for hamburgers. Dale enjoyed snorkeling and SCUBA diving, and went on diving excursions to the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. Dale loved to salmon fish along the Washington and Canadian coastlines, and his special grilled salmon was a crowd favorite. He also liked to hunt moose, duck and pheasant.

Dale had a passion for skiing, especially at Mt. Spokane. He volunteered many years for the Spokane Ski Racing Association, and he raced the Masters and Nastar Circuits. Dale taught everyone in his family how to ski and to enjoy the local mountains. He was a member of the Prime Timers Ski Club, and he and Sarah took ski trips around the Northwest, Canada and Europe. Dale enjoyed working in the garden, growing vegetables and flowers were his specialty. Dale had a knack for working with wood, and he made beautiful tables, workbenches, cradles and birdhouses. Holidays were his favorite time, and he and Sarah hosted family parties with love and pride. Christmas was always festive with Grandpa Dale jingling a string of sleigh bells, and every year he generously shared a special gift envelope with each grandchild. Dale was known for his dry wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit.

Dale is survived by his wife Sarah, his children Leisha Wahl and Alison Roberts and grandchildren Stephanie, Clayton and Christina. The Wahl and Roberts families would especially like to thank Daniel Muhia and the wonderful staff at Merit Care. Thank you, too, to Providence Sacred Heart 4th floor staff and everyone at Alderwood Manor. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 22nd at Hamblen Presbyterian Church at 12:30 p.m. followed by a reception at Affinity on the South Hill from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., all are welcome.

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