Dale R. Gidel (IABE ’45)

October 20, 1922 – December 2, 2013

Dale Gidel, veteran of World War II, entered the Chapter Eternal on December 2, 2013.He lived in Rockwell City, Iowa. Born on October 20, 1922 at Lake City, Iowa,Dale graduated from Rockwell City High School in 1941 and attended the University of Iowa.He was initiated into the Iowa Beta Chapter of SAE on February 15, 1942 and received SAE badge number 55313.He was active in the fraternity and served as Eminent Treasurer. Shortly after World War II broke out, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Force and received his pilot wings at Corpus Christi,Texas Naval Base.In 1944, Dale married Harriet Schlachter in Rockwell City.

Following the War, Dale started in the insurance business in Dallas, Texas, but remained in the Naval Reserve for 15 years. In 1947 he returned to Rockwell City, Iowa, and with his brother, Wayne,opened the Gidel Insurance Agency.

In 1995, Gidel moved to Ankeny, Iowa where he participated in the construction and operation of Brairwood Golf Course. In 1998, Dale and Harriet retired and moved to Banning, California and then to Sun City West, Arizona. But in 2004 they moved "back home" to Rockwell City.

Throughout his life, Dale was involved with many community projects. He was a longtime member of AmVets, St. Francis Catholic Church, and loved his duties as a football and local parade announcer. Together with Cotton Knapp and other volunteers he was instrumental in the building of the first Rockwell City Swimming Pool. He also served on the Board of Directors responsible for the building of Sunnyview Independent Living.