Dale R. Allen

We are saddened to share that Dale R. Allen of Bremerton, Wash., passed away on September 18, 2021 at St. Michaels Medical Center, under the care of hospice and palliative care services. Dale is survived by his grandchildren, Jeremy Johanson of Bremerton, Wash. and Kelly Smith of Belfair, Wash/, six great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and numerous very special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Josephine, daughter Deborah, parents Robert and Nellie Allen, and each of his siblings, Viola, Elvin, Robert (Bob), Audrey and Gladys.
Dale was born at home on September 1, 1923 in Monowi, Nwb. to his parents Robert and Nellie (Alford) Allen, where he was the youngest of six children. At the age of one, the family moved to Draper, S.D. and this was where he grew up. His early years were devoted to farming with the family and sheep herding in the fields. In an effort to find more sustainable work, he and his brother Bob traveled together to Cottage Grove, Ore. in search of work on the railroad, however; he found himself fired on Christmas Day for being late. Down but not out, he took a sheet metal class in Eugene, Ore. to further his employment. At 18, he registered for the draft and then he and Bob traveled to Seattle where they worked as riveters for Boeing. This was where he met his bride-to-be Josephine Brown, however; shortly after their introduction, Dale and Bob were both drafted for WWII.
Effective August 9, 1944, Dale was assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron and he began training at Ft. Lewis as a waist (flexible) gunner and tail gunner. He shipped out to Grafton-Underwood, England, where, per special orders, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant while awaiting his first mission. Over the next four months, Dale would be credited with 30 combat missions, with his final mission occurring on December 12, 1944, after his B-17 was shot down by enemy fire over Merseburg, Germany. At 10,000 feet, and with one engine on fire, all nine crewmembers bailed out with parachutes and landed on the ground with minimal injuries. Dale and his comrades were immediately taken into captivity and held in solitary confinement until Christmas. The day after, they were shipped to Stalag Luft 1 POW Camp in Barth, Germany located on the Baltic Sea where he was held Prisoner of War for the next few months but, on May 1, 1945, Dale awoke to freedom after a relatively peaceful transfer of power by the allies; historically known as the Liberation of Stalag Luft 1.
After his honorable discharge from the Army Air Forces, Dale began his telephone lineman career with Pacific Northwest Bell in early 1947. Soon after, he and Jo were married on April 25, 1947. They built their first home on Bainbridge Island, Wash. and together they had one child, daughter Deborah. In December 1982, and after thirty-six years of service, he retired as the construction supervisor with the phone company. Dale and Jo enjoyed a long, happy life of 55 years and he missed her and Deborah terribly until the day he died.
Over the years, Dale was known for his larger than life sense of humor, insatiable sweet tooth and his ability to spot a bald eagle a mile away. He enjoyed an unrivaled curiosity of life that included sightseeing, admiring nature, watching the stock market, baking, gardening, visiting with family and friends and taking his daily three-mile walks. Dale enjoyed the majority of his 98 years without debilitating medical issues, right up until the last month of his life when he experienced an unfortunate fall.
When he could no longer go out, his loved ones came to him, whether it was in person, with FaceTime or over the phone. Dale was loved and cherished by all, and he blessed all who knew him with love and kindness. His final request was inurnment next to Jo in the family columbarium niche on Vashon Island, WA.
With heartfelt gratitude, the family wishes to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Michael's Medical Center who cared for Dale with the utmost respect, compassion and kindness.
A memorial is not planned per his wishes; instead, he would prefer that you contribute to Veterans of Foreign Wars, Seattle Children's Hospital Research or your favorite charity, on his behalf.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
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