I am highly appreciative of Dale's support and leadership in Transportation Research at Iowa State University.  I have good memories of the exciting research opportunities that came to us through his efforts. Please accept my condolences on Dale's passing.

Wonderful guy that I enjoyed working with. So sorry to hear about his passing. God bless him and his family. Thank you,Dale for all you did for me and our company plus communities throughout the state of Iowa.

I was saddened to hear of Dale's passing. Dale and I got to know each other while promoting and implementing the SUDAS (Statewide Urban Design and Specifications) manuals statewide and ultimately the creation of the SUDAS Corporation to the construction industry, Iowa DOT, counties, cities, and Iowa Council of Governments. Many, many years ago with many miles driven along that journey and Dale always had great stories of his career and fond memories of his family. I considered Dale a true professional, good person, and personal friend. The world is a better place for Dale's work towards promoting concrete construction, SUDAS, and engineering in general. 

Rest in peace friend,

Tom Reis 
Stanley Consutants Project Manager
Former Iowa DOT Specifications Engineer
Former SUDAS Corporation Board of Directors

To Our Departed Friend Dale and his Family,
I really got to know Dale in about 2004/2005 while working with him to bring the Iowa Center for Concrete Pavement Technology to a National Center. A great achievement! Dale led and developed a resource in Iowa that became a national organization for an entire industry.  There were many bumps to get over and bridges to cross.   What impressed me most, and how I always will remember Dale, is that he always found something positive to focus on even amongst seemingly daunting challenges.  Even more so, he always found something better to strive for.  He always pushed for more, but did so without an unkind word toward anyone, always seeking other’s perspectives without being critical, and just somehow through his sheer positive will and personality, led people forward. He could have done anything in this world, but somehow like many he knew, he got bitten by the concrete bug. 
 
My condolences to his family and many friends. We lost a good one, but we were also blessed to have gotten to know an amazing man.

Dale, you left your mark on all whom you touched.  Rest in peace good and faithful servant.

Dale Harrington was a gentleman, an excellent speaker, and a true advocate for concrete pavement. He believed in quality design, construction and innovation for concrete pavements.  I got to know Dale while I was CEO of the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA). The ACPA and ICPA were instrumental in  establishing  the Porland Cement Concrete Research Center in Ames, Iowa. Dale became its first Executive Director, and the name was changed to National Concrete Pavement Technology Center. 
Through Dale’s leadership, the Center quickly became a nationally recognized hub for innovation and collaboration in concrete pavement research. He fostered partnerships among government agencies, academia, and industry, ensuring that best practices and groundbreaking technologies were shared and implemented across the country. Dale’s vision and tireless dedication inspired a generation of engineers and advocates, leaving an enduring legacy of excellence and progress in the field of concrete pavement. His contributions continue to shape the roads we travel today, reminding all who work in transportation of the power of integrity and forward-thinking leadership.

My sympathies to Linda and family. Dale was truly an inspiration while I worked with him at Snyder & Associates. His knowledge of the paving industry was exceptional and he was a hard working Engineer, but always stressed that family and faith were higher priorities! 

God’s blessings to you, Linda and his family, and comfort you in this time of sadness!

Terence Crawford 
Colleague and friend.

Dale was instrumental in the development of the green book. Concrete overlays over asphalt paving. This book was responsible for converting many parking lots all over the United States, from an existing asphalt parking lot to beautiful long lasting concrete overlay. I didn’t know Dale until I meet him in an industry meeting. When I realized who he was, I had him sign a copy I had, and still have it to this day. No salesman could do what we did without it. Thank you Dale, rest in peace 😇🥲

Fishing with Dan and grandsons at Sportmans  Lodge.

Condolences to Dale's family. Dsle inspired me as a concrete professional and as a person. Dale will always remain close to my heart as one of the best people I have been blessed to know and experience as a friend and colleague. 
Dale will always be a great ambassador for our state and industry.

It is sad to hear of the loss of Dale. My sympathy goes out to his family. I always enjoyed working with Dale in the CP Tech Center, Concrete Research Lab. He was always full of ambition and promoted many new ideas. It was a pleasure working with Dale.

I have had a lot of colleagues over the years, but none quite like Dale. I was lucky to work with him not only at the CP Tech Center but for several years after I left my position there when I worked as a contractor for Snyer and Associates. Dale's lasting impact on his profession is outmatched only by his lasting impact on the people who knew him. He was passionate, exacting, and was one of the kindest, most generous, and most thoughtful people I have ever known. He believed in me and lifted me up when I was going through one of the hardest times in my life. I will never, ever forget him.

So sorry to hear of Dale's passing. My condolences to the family. Dale was a great leader and mentor to all of those that worked with him and knew him. I personally appreciated my time with Dale during his years at Snyder & Associates. He was a great engineer and an even better man. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Mike Geier

May he rest in power, thank you for your life and all the things you did in life, you left a legacy. Many people will continue honoring you for your knowledge and support.

I worked at Snyder & Associates 1997 to 2003.  Dale was always so busy and focused on the task the only way you could get a conversation with him was to “come on and walk with me.”  It was good his office was at the back of the building because you could  “walk with him” all the way to the front door.  He also would call Dennis Snyder on his cell phone while parading through the office because it would take too long to walk to Dennis’ office.  To tell you the truth, I still have nightmares where Dale is on my case asking when a project was going to be done.  God bless you Dale,  you were an engineer’s engineer and a good soul.  May you rest in peace and stay out of my mind when sleep becomes me.

Dale had the unique ability to see a person’s best qualities and fullest potential. It drove him to adopt and insist on those qualities in himself, and he wanted the same for others. 

Dale was a great friend and a mentor to me, like so many others. His work ethic was unmatched. He never stopped learning or lost his desire to learn. He was an engineer first and his conclusions were based on facts, science, and data. Dale never relinquished the right to his own opinions, or the force with which he would argue them. I truly loved that about Dale.

My prayers are with his family and his wife Linda, whom he adored throughout his entire life.

Linda and family,
I'm so very sorry to hear of Dale's passing. He was a professional mentor to me and contributed so much to the Snyder and Associates' heritage, lore and success. He'll be sorely missed. My prayers for peace are with you all.
Katie

Dale Harrington was not only a wonderful colleague but also a valued member of our concrete and pavement community. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Dale’s kindness and dedication will be remembered by all of us who had the privilege of working with him.

Kejin Wang

My Friend Dale

We spent about 10 intense years of our life together, trying to make concrete pavement just a little bit better. Seems like yesterday.  But we talked about so much more.  About life and children and families.  I will always remember you. Always. 

Hope to see you on the other side. 

Ted Ferragut

A GREAT Contributor to the concrete industry and a WONDERFUL human being... a friend to all who knew him.
Prayers for Dave and Family

I have very fond memories and will forever remember Dale.  He was one of the first people I worked with when I joined FHWA.  Dale always took the opportunity to mentor- whether it was on the implementation of concrete pavement technologies or where to find the best malt milkshake in Iowa.  Dale loved his family and always talked about his beloved wife and children.  May Dale rest in peace and his family find comfort during these times.

I am writing from Bolivia, South America I was in contact with Dale by e-mail a few years ago, he was so nice and a good person, he helped me with technical topics, and I learned many things from his books and articles. May the peace of the Lord be with his family in these moments.

Linda and family I am so sorry for your loss. Dale was a kind and special man. Prayers.

Dale was a person who got things done - including standing up the CPTech Center.  I am eternally grateful for his role in allowing me to be part of this amazing group and the huge impact he had on my life.  It was a privilege to work with him.

He was also extraordinarily generous, and all my family remembers his role in helping us settle in Iowa.

We have missed him over the last few years and will continue to do so.

Blessings to the family 

Peter Taylor

I will miss Dale.  I think of him often and I am fortunate enough to have learned so much from him. I wouldn’t be doing what I do today without him.  I worked under Dale’s leadership for 11 years at Snyder and Associates, Inc.  He was a great teacher and leader, a great motivator, and he cared about me.  He wanted me to be successful. He challenged me outside of my comfort zone so that I could learn and grow.  He was very passionate about his work and wanted to make sure the client was happy and make sure the firm was successful.    His leadership and hard work led to the development of the Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) and the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center.  Dale became a national leader in the field of concrete pavement.  He provided technical training across the country to many state agencies.  He authored several guidance documents, and he has been the recipient of many state and national awards. Beyond all of the work-related accomplishments, Dale was a good person that was loved by many.

It was such a blessing being able to care for Dale… I will forever hold ALL of you close to my hearts. My prayers are with your family🫶

I Love you Uncle Dale. You were a kind and generous person and a brilliant man. There are so many fond memories I have from childhood to adulthood, spent together at grandpa and grandma's house, and at your and Aunt Linda's homes. I'll cherish them always. You will be forever missed.

What  guy!!! So many family memories, ring bearer at mom and dad’s wedding,  being a big brother to me when we lost Bobby,  times he spent at the farm.  He is a testament on how to be a man!

OBITUARY

Dale Stuart Harrington

December 23, 1941 – August 21, 2025

Ankeny Funeral Home & Crematory

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Funeral Mass

Celebration of Life Luncheon