He has one 3-year older brother — Warren Floyd Wolaver. He attended public schools in Loveland, graduating from Loveland High School in 1940.
He was involved in many High School activities and was particularly active in High School sports — football, basketball and track. He earned recognition in his senior year as an all-state football player, and as team captain led the Loveland Indians to their first state championship in football. At the time he was determined to attain a college education, but a specific course objective was elusive. Fortunately, he was inspired by another LHS graduate, by then a graduate of West Point, to try for an appointment to West Point. Lacking several required high school credits, Dale was accepted to the University of Colorado in Boulder, and completed the courses required for West Point candidates. He was appointed for entrance to West Point in June 1942, reporting on his 20th birthday: He graduated from West Point in June 1945, completing the accelerated war-time program. From his West Point experience, he was inspired and lived by words from the Cadet Prayer: "to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong and never to be content with a half-truth, when the whole can be won." He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry with orders to the Pacific Theater as a replacement officer for the invasion of Japan. While en route, the war ended abruptly as a consequence of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He often speculated that his life, along with many, many thousands of other Americans, was saved as a result of those atomic bombs.
After arrival in the Pacific, he was assigned to the 86th Infantry Division in the Philippine Islands, where he performed duties as an Infantry Platoon Leader and as a Company Commander. During his second year, when U S Units were being phased down, he was assigned to command a newly activated company of Philippine Scouts. Now, as before WWII the Scouts were an element of the U S Army. He found this duty to be very satisfying and inspirational as these young men were highly motivated and proved to be an important element of the U S Army.
Upon completion of his first overseas duty, he was assigned to the 38th Infantry Regiment stationed at Camp Carson, Colorado -- with a special ski-training assignment at Camp Hale. Protesting as not being a skier, he was advised that he was to become one. He adapted quickly to the rigorous training and upon return to Camp Carson he was assigned as Assistant Training Officer for the Regiment.
These assignments shaped his future duty with the 4th Inf (RCT) as it trained for duty in Alaska. The training was conducted in the Cascade Mountain Range just North of Mt. Rainier. This Regiment moved to Alaska in the summer of 1950 and he served as a staff officer and unit commander during this period.
In the following years he served in command and staff assignments in Korea, Japan and numerous Army Posts in the United States. Also, he attended the Advanced Infantry Course at Ft. Benning, GA and the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and Boston University where he earned an MBA. He also spent six years teaching in Army Schools and in ROTC at the University of Oregon.
He was promoted to Colonel while assigned to the Office of the Comptroller of the Army, retiring from this assignment in 1971.
He was married on April 23, 1950 to Margarete (Peggy) Nolze of San Francisco. Their military wedding was held at the historic chapel at the Presidio of San Francisco. Their married life as typical of an Army family — frequent moves, long separations and difficult living conditions. Peggy accepted these conditions, sometimes with disappointment, but always with dedication, commitment and enthusiasm.
After retirement from the Army, the Wolaver family returned to his home area and settled in Fort Collins, CO. He spent 8 years in administrative functions at Colorado State University and after that retirement, he became a member of Poudre Golden Kiwanis. He served as the Golden K’s president and was recognized by Kiwanians International as a Distinguished President.
His hobbies included fly fishing, bridge, and golf. He was accomplished at tying flies, supplying family members and close friends with flies. He is survived by his lovely wife of 65 and a half years, Peggy, and by the following children and grandchildren: Paul Reed Wolaver; grandson, Talbot; granddaughter, Anna Jane; and great-grandson, Jacob. David Alan Wolaver and spouse, M'Lou; grandsons, Andrew David, and Timothy Alan and step grandsons, Jordon and Todd. Jean Anne Wolaver Short and spouse, Gregg Nelson Short; grandson Tyler Lee Short and granddaughter Lisa Jean Short. Robert Warren Wolaver and spouse, Cyndi; granddaughter Laura Kathryn and grandson Eric Robert.
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