Dale Marion Gipe

Dale Marion Gipe was born in Benton County, Iowa on November 16th, 1931, to Minnie and John Gipe. Dale grew up with brothers Cleo, Karl, Earl and sisters Ione and Lois. Following John’s death in 1937, his mother Minnie raised the six children on her own. She married Pete Bazyn in 1947 and shortly after moved from Dysart, Iowa to Burlington, Colorado. Dale was a sophomore in high school at the time of this move. The brothers made the move to Burlington, but both of his older sisters remained in Iowa.

After graduating from Burlington High School, Dale enlisted in the Navy in 1951. During his 4 years of service as Radio Man Third Class, he served aboard the U.S.S. Corregidor during the Korean war. He was proud of his knowledge of Morse code and had the rare opportunity and huge benefit to be shipmates with his brother Cleo. Honorably discharged in 1954, he returned home to Burlington then shortly after moved to Grand Junction where he worked at The Rio Grande Railroad.

He enjoyed the town and the life-long friendships formed while in Grand Junction. He would frequently make the drive to Denver to visit friends and family. Before I-70 was a highway and with no direct route through the canyon, he traveled on a two-lane road, day and night, no matter the season, over Loveland pass. Time with friends and family was worth the often treacherous journeys. He found success working for the railroad, whether wearing a hard hat and steel toe boots or a business suit, a graveyard shifts or an early morning call time, the rail yard or overseeing the office, he had many roles along the way. Ironically, he did not care for the train rides required for business travel. One of his roles, after transferring to Denver with the railroad, was as supervisor in the keypunch room. It was there he met a special keypunch operator by the name of Pat Neiswanger - his future wife. The curiosity of coworkers was confirmed when Pat's good friend Carolyn happened into the break room only to catch the lovebirds sharing a soda. Their relationship blossomed and they were married on August 3rd, 1963. Both Pat and Dale continued working for Rio Grande Railroad until they retired. They were blessed with daughter Sue on June 17th, 1964. In June1965, they were separated when a storm flooded the South Platte River leaving Pat stranded at home unable to get to work and Dale stuck at work unable to get home for several days. He recounted many times that he slept on top of his desk while Pat got to experience the luxury of bed at home.

Dale accepted the opportunity for full retirement. Shortly after, Pat joined him in retirement. He very much enjoyed and took pride when he hit the mark of having retired longer than the 35+ years he worked. He built several wooden ships before retirement and folks at Rio Grande Railroad gifted him a model ship kit to celebrate his retirement. His childhood love of model sets was reignited as he became a skilled model ship builder spending hundreds of hours in his hobby room where there was as much colorful language used as the three dozen ships he completed.

As a family they resided in Arvada. Dale had many hobbies and activities he enjoyed throughout his life. He was a valued player on the Rio Grande softball team, an avid golfer participating in leagues and winning events. Dale frequently took friends and extended family on pheasant hunting trips. Even letting his shorter brother-in-law Dick ride on top of his shoulders to get a better shot. He enjoyed fishing at Gross Reservoir. He was a lifelong member of the Arvada Elks and looked forward to poker games and much conversation with members there.

Always ready to lend a helping hand, even if that meant moving a heavy pool table into the basement of a close friend's home that resulted in Dale's foot being caught under the falling table. Despite a severely injured foot and completing the move without a complaint, he was not happy about having to miss work because of being unable to wear his shoe. It was the first time in 15 years he had called out from work. You could catch him playing pool at home, sometimes for hours after working all day, barely stopping for dinner, enjoying the friendly competition with his brother Cleo following his retirement from the Navy.

Dale was also the fun uncle that would gladly throw his begging nieces Debbie and Denise, fully clothed into the pool, much to their mother's chagrin. He would return to Burlington yearly for all school reunions for over 50 years. On a family trip back to Iowa, Dale was very excited to show Pat and Sue the steep sledding hill in town he recalled from his childhood. Only to discover the gentle slope of a hill, much to his disappointment and probably embarrassment as he was teased about it. There were many trips to Burlington, and they gave Dale the opportunity to pluck fresh peaches from a neighbor's tree as he walked by.

Dale and his brother Earl regularly went to Blackhawk to play video poker. They enjoyed the many conversations reminiscing of their childhood. He fondly shared memories of playing pinochle with his mother and all his brothers and sisters as a family. But those conversations were key.

He was quick on his feet to react to any emergency including a fire started by construction workers in his newly renovated basement, or an engine fire erupting in his own vehicle, or unknowingly interrupting a burglary in a vacationing neighbor's home.

Later in life he experienced health challenges, reaching the point of needing assistance and moved into Arbor View Assisted Living. His resilience in recovery impressed everyone who watched him along the way. He quickly formed a core group of friends among residents that became part of what he called his family. While there, he expanded his interests through bingo, singing, outings and learning how to bowl on the Wii platform, enjoying it so much he once forgot to tune into the Broncos game!

Dale valued the connections he made with others but not limited to just humans. The family always had dogs, but it wasn't until after 39 years of marriage when he lost his wife Pat, their dog Fancy became his constant companion, going most everywhere with him and even further encouraging his social outings. Neighbors knew Fancy as much as they knew Dale from the many walks they went on. Dale's love for the people he surrounded himself with knew no bounds. Friends, family, extended family, in-laws, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow residents at the assisted living home. Dale never met a stranger; just met people he hadn’t made friends with yet. Always forming new connections. Always leaving an impression.

Dale is survived by his brother Earl (Kathy), his half-sister Ruth, his daughter Sue, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dale Gipe's name to the National Kidney Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Foundation, or the organization of your choice.