Dale Dobberpuhl, born December 23, 1940, passed away Sunday, July 18, in Watertown, South Dakota.  Dale was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Earlene (Narem), and beautiful daughter, Susan.  He is survived by his sister, Beverly (Hanson), sons David and Bryan (wife Lynnette), and five wonderful grandchildren: Susan, Allison, Samuel, Thomas and Scott. 

Born in Brown County, South Dakota to Herbert and Ruth Dobberpuhl, Dale spent much of his boyhood growing up in Conde, SD, where he played various sports and especially loved baseball.  He also mastered several musical instruments, eventually being part of, and sometimes leading, several bands.  He matriculated to South Dakota State College and then Northern State College, where he met Earlene and earned bachelor’s degrees in both English and German.  He later earned a master’s degree from University of Washington. 

Dale was a longtime highly regarded teacher, first at Redfield, South Dakota, and then Aberdeen Central High.  While in Aberdeen, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and moved his family to Linz, Austria, where he served two years as an English teacher.  Dale was a talented linguist and an exceptional English grammarian who was also highly proficient in German and conversant in several other languages.  His time in Europe deepened his appreciation of other cultures and his mastery of languages.

Dale and family returned to Conde for a year before moving to Hendricks, Minnesota, where he taught languages and then at Canby, Minnesota.  During his time in Hendricks, Dale also had a business in portrait photography.  He later became an adjunct instructor and student teacher preceptor for Southwest State College, in Marshall, Minnesota, before eventually being selected as the curriculum director at Lake Area Technical Institute.  Dale retired in 2004 after almost two decades of service to LATI, where he was instrumental in developing articulation agreements with several other regional institutions.

Dale was a huge sports fan, going to local high school games while following all the Minnesota sports teams, celebrating the Twins World Series victories and enduring decades of Vikings disappointment.  In retirement, Dale enjoyed traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.  He was a voracious reader and also enjoyed cards, being particularly adept at poker and pinochle.   

Per Dale’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. 

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel     www.crawfordosthus.com