Dale Lee Hackett

01/17/1940 – 06/19/21

Dale was a Sergeant in the Marines and was a track vehicle mechanical supervisor. He was honorably discharged in June of 1969. While he was in the Marines, he attended college at Palomar College in California majoring in Business Administration and Law Enforcement.

After returning to Iowa, Dale joined the Scott County Sheriff Department and ultimately was promoted to Sheriff. He was very well respected in the community. Over the years, Dale was involved in many aspects of Law Enforcement from security to teaching, and even taught self-defense for women at area colleges.

For the last 25 years of his career, Dale was a Public Safety Officer at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and was loved by everyone who knew him. He made a number of life-long friendships with colleagues, students and faculty. Dale retired in March of 2018 at the age of 78 and moved to Florida to spend time with his daughters and grandson.

Dale was an avid reader and some of his favorite authors included Clive Cussler, James Patterson and John Grisham. He loved to spend time on the lanai by the pool with his dog, Lily and cat, Scarlet. He always had a good book in hand.

Dale was also a very talented artist. He enjoyed carpentry and made beautiful furniture. He even took a pottery class with his daughter while she was a student at Augustana and would spend time with her in the studio. He made several stoneware fish sculptures. Dale also enjoyed remodeling and updated the master bath in his home. Additionally, he always jumped at the opportunity to help his neighbors and rebuilt a friend’s fence.

Dale was a strong and stoic man. While he didn’t say much, he always had a way of putting people at ease. He loved to tell stories and was full of wit and humor. Friends describe him as the very best friend, and “The kind of guy that let his actions do the talking which resulted in a great deal of respect.”

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.