Dale Clark

Dale W. Clark, 94, of Newtown Square, PA., passed away peacefully Feb. 7th, 2021. Born March 26th, 1926 in Madison, MN. He was the youngest son of the late Burr H. and Mae Lydia (née Kay) Clark.

Dale served honorably in the U.S. Army Air Forces in WWII. After serving, Dale attended Macalester College in Minnesota, where he earned his BA in general sciences and also met his future wife Mary Jean. Mary Jean and Dale were married August 13th, 1950 in Atlas, Wisconsin. Dale and Mary Jean’s interest in travel led them to take teaching jobs overseas with the Dept. of Defense. They were stationed in Germany, Turkey, Spain, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. While in Spain Dale earned his Master’s degree and was promoted to school principal. After 15 years working for the DOD overseas, Dale and Mary Jean moved to California where Dale began his career with the Dept. of Justice working as an educational administrator. This led to promotions and job transfers to Colorado, Maryland, and eventually Newtown Square, PA. In 1981 Dale retired from his position as Northeast Regional Director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

After retirement Dale and Mary Jean purchased a small vacation home in Salida, Colorado. An avid lifelong ski enthusiast Dale joined a race team at Monarch Mountain. He eventually helped organize the “Super Seniors” race category. Dale was very proud of the awards he won including his Master of the Masters. He was also honored to be the first recipient of the Attitude at Altitude award. Dale and Mary Jean’s house in Salida was always open to visitors. “Come visit us in Salida“ was a standard phrase. Dale’s grandchildren were thrilled to get to ski with their Pop Pop one week before his 90th birthday.

Dale and Mary Jean continued to travel throughout their retirement, visiting dear friends in Spain, Sweden and Alaska. They also joined their church group on a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru.

In earlier years Dale also enjoyed soaring glider planes, he had earned his pilot’s license while in Spain and was known as the “flying principal”. Dale was a member of the Cloud Niners Soaring Club in West Chester, PA. Dale also enjoyed sailing, whether on his own boat with friends sailing on the Chesapeake, or being a crew member, alongside Mary Jean, on the “Norseman” a Viking ship replica with the Leif Ericson Society.

Dale and Mary Jean were members of both the Newtown Square Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church in Salida.

Dale was the beloved husband of Mary Jean Fae (née Peterson) Clark; loving father of Dean Clark (Denise), Siri Fitzgerald (Michael), and Sarah Clark; adoring grandfather of Eric Clark (Lisa Daniels), Scott Clark, and Christopher Clark; and dear great grandfather of Cecilia Clark and Flynn Clark. He was predeceased by his five brothers: Kenneth, Otis, Milo, Lowell, and Byrdell.

Dale lived his life to the fullest. He filled it with adventure, lasting friendships and love.
A life well lived, he will be missed.
Blessed be his memory.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Covenant House, Feeding America, or a charity of your choice.