Thomas "Dale" Bess

Dale was mild mannered and always greeted folks with his trademark grin. The youngest of six, Dale grew up playing baseball and basketball. He graduated Valedictorian from Keokee High School in 1955.

After graduation, Dale lived with sister, Phyllis and brother-in-law, Gale while working at a book binding factory. Dale always said that was the hardest work he ever did. Dale then attended the newly created Clench Valley College, where he played baseball. He completed his degree at Lincoln Memorial University in 1960, where he earned his B.S in Mathematics and Physics.

Dale had applied to commission with the Air Force when NASA offered him a job working on the space program at Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. Known as “T. Dale” at NASA, he received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1972 from George Washington University. Dale could often be found on the NASA basketball court or at Mr. C’s in Poquoson, VA. Dale’s illustrious 44-year career included multiple papers, publications, and awards and concluded with climate research on the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE).

Dale met Lynn Johnson at a Christmas covered dish dinner in December, 1977. They married two years later on Dec. 8, 1979. His only daughter “Jennie” was born April 10, 1981. She was the apple of his eye and he was the wind beneath her wings. Known as “Papaw” to his granddaughters, he enjoyed attending their many activities and events, and spoiling his grandpups with way too many treats.

In retirement, Dale would frequently be seen with his beloved Chihuahua hat of their dog, Chrissy. He spent time tinkering on his 1939 Ford 9N tractor or 1985 Chevy C-10 pickup truck, and visiting the family’s farm on Potts Mountain. Dale was a faithful member of Liberty Live Church and was very active with the Liberty builders. He was always willing to help out and passionate about helping those in need through the Peninsula Rescue Mission.

Dale battled prostate cancer in 2019 and rung his cancer-free bell in 2020. He is survived by his wife, Linda Faye Bess; sister, Phyllis Gilbert; daughter, Virginia “Jennie” Wigginton and husband Scott; granddaughters, Natalie and Abigail Wigginton; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, 23 June, in the chapel at Liberty Live Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton VA 23666. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will be at 1:00 PM at Carey Cemetery, 3204 Jean Court, Chesapeake, VA with a reception to follow at Scott & Jennie’s house, 3344 Galberry Road, Chesapeake, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Liberty Live Church or the Peninsula Rescue Mission.

The Bess service will be livestreamed at https://libertylive.church/livestream/HPT