In Memoriam – Dale Allen Shipman

13 comments

  • Donna Shipman

    It has been a year and a half since Dale passed away. I have talked to many of his friends recently and everyone still has Dale in their hearts and minds. It is now time to celebrate him by remembering all the things that brought you joy and laughter while you were with him—all the silly, funny things you did together. Smile instead of being sad. That is how Dale would like us to remember him. Not to be sad, because we can’t bring him back. Remember his laughter and smile.

    Donna, his wife

  • Doris Ann Richaardson

    I was so sad to hear about Dale’s passing. I really missed going into his office when he retired. Dale would have the classic rock and roll playing in his office and his staff would laugh at us because we knew the bands. Dale always said they knew how to make music in the 60’s and 70’s and I would reply, “You do realize that most of the bands were on drugs,” and he would laugh and say, “That is why they made good music.”

    I remember the stories Dale would tell me about his youth; he was shocked that I knew about what we called the Jungle by the Pike. One of my favorite stories that he told me was about his shoeshine business when he was a kid and how he would shine the sailors shoes and sometimes get shoe polish on the bottom of their pants, he would say the sailor was normally intoxicated and did not notice the shoe polish on their pants. He had so many funny stories. I am so glad I got to hear them. I will treasure them always.

    I accidentally found out that Dale was my Dad’s pipe-fitter helper in the 70s. We were talking one time and he said, “Your last name was Saville before you were married,” and I said, “Yes.” He asked me, “Is your Dad’s name Ford?” and I said, “Yes.” He replied, “I use to work for him.” My dad remembered Dale and was sad to hear of his passing.

    Dale will be missed by so many people that he had an impact on. I will always remember him with good thoughts.

  • Pam Coelho

    I am in shock that Dale is gone. I met Dale and Donna 20 years ago when I started working at Poor Richards as a bartender. Dale had a sarcastic sense of humor, but then, so did I and we used to give each such a hard time – all in good fun, though. He was always cracking jokes, although not always funny, he would laugh anyway. I still remember his laugh. We were all part of a great time era at Poor Richards. We all hung out together, supported each other, lifted each other up and got on each others’ nerves from time to time, just like a family. The memories we all made are priceless. Dale loved playing guitar and it showed on his face when he was playing in the band (The Lost Roadies and later, just The Roadies). I loved going to watch the band play at various bars, wedding receptions and birthdays. We all just had so much fun together. It warms my heart to know that even though we don’t all hang out anymore, I truly believe that we would all be there for each other if need be. Dale, I will miss your sarcasm, jokes, laugh, witty conversation and you rocking on your guitar. Cheers to Dale’s life!! He’s rocking out in heaven!! God Bless!!

  • Leonard Crespo

    I was so sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. I worked with Dale for 12 years at Total-Western, in fact, I hired him for the position of personnel manager. He was the first person I’d interact with every morning when I arrived to work. Our conversations would sometimes be serious; the Dow Jones, latest news, family, and sometimes work. However, the majority of our conversations in the morning were filled with laughter and a dumb, goofy sense of humor we both shared. I loved Dale’s sense and appreciation of humor. He could deliver as well as receive a good joke.

    For as much joking around we did, the second a serious work issue arose, Dale was on it. I respected him for that as well as his knowledge and work ethic he brought to the position and the company.

    To know Dale was to know he loved his family and was devoted to them. He loved and respected Donna. Chris and Rene were in his heart, and he absolutely adored “Izzy”, his granddaughter. There many stories of his interactions with her and the smart and funny things she’d say and do.

    I never was a Packer fan, but this year I’ll be pulling for them to win every game on their way to the Super Bowl Championship. I miss you, Dale, and thank you for the good times we shared.

    • Donna Shipman

      Thank you for sharing your loving and humorous thoughts with all of us. Please tell a joke and think of Dale’s laughter when you drop the punch line. Remember him smiling and full of life. That is what he would want🎸🦅

  • Dennis Lampe

    So, wow…what can i say…the life and times we have been through, more than most people will ever know or feel. Dale, I will see you in my thoughts and dreams. Love you, my brother.

  • Patricia Lampe

    I met Dale along with my now husband Dennis back in the late 70’s. I was working at the Tappet and a group of 4 or 5 young guys on “ring-ding” motorcycles pulled up in front and here came Dale, Dennis, Cisco, JD and more to drink beer and play foosball. Dale didn’t usually stay long; he would head up the road to see his favorite girl Donna at the WW. Dale was always the life of any party with his jokes and his crazy, goofy laugh. I lost contact with Dale and Donna for a long time but when I saw them again 20 years later, it was like I had just seen them yesterday. Dale you will be missed and remembered with a smile every time I think of you. I promise I will stop rooting against the Pack just to bug you. RIP my friend. We love you.

  • Christi

    Donna, It breaks my heart that Dale has left us. You make sure you take care of yourself and if you need anything please let me know.
    Christi

  • Yvette Luithle

    I first met Dale and Donna about 20 years ago. Wow; seems so long…this was when I first starting dating Jerry Luithle (now my husband). Jerry would take me to Dale and Donna’s house for band practice in their garage. Dale was always enthusiastic about his music and it was always fun watching all of them practice and eventually play at their many gigs. Dale had such a funny sense of humor and always had such a upbeat demeanor which made him so fun to socialize with. I remember one time Jerry and I rented a limo and took Dale and Donna to see Eric Clapton; that was a fun experience. They loved to do fun things, enjoy life to the fullest. Dale will be truly missed, he was one of a kind, which made him so special.❤️ I’m sure he’s smiling at us right now with his guitar 🎸around his neck ready to rock out👍😇 — Love, Yvette L.

  • Kati Oates

    I will always remeber Dale as the man who grabbed Donna’s heart and never let go. Dale was a good man who put his family first, even trying New England so Donna could be near her family and good friends. But California called them both back where the sun shines, and the rest is history. I always loved visiting them and seeing Dale loving his girls and teasing and joking, and being a truly good husband and Dad. I knew my old friend Donna was in good hands with a good man, and Renee was always the star of the show. Dale you are missed. Thank you for being you. Sorry I never did get a ride on the Harley ~~ next time ’round! Rest in peace, my friend!

  • Jennifer Morris

    We met Dale and Donna about 10 years ago and we quickly became inseparable….
    We rode 40k miles together on our Harleys… Dale went through 3 Harleys, we went through 2. We covered most of California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico. We rode through Big Sur, the Redwoods, Zion, Bryce, the Grand Canyon, Sedona and visited Tombstone, Roswell, Carlsbad Caverns, Reno, Laughlin and Lake Powell; enduring temperatures of 20-127 degrees while riding and we still laughed along the way. Dale always wore his “brown pants” which cracked us up.
    We visited Cabo San Lucas together; when Dale and Frank both caught Marlins on the same day and our rented yacht was full of flags from the days catch.
    He once told me he’d only see my beloved Def Leppard if they played with his beloved REO Speedwagon… and it happened… so we all bought 3rd row VIP tickets together; and he loved them.
    Then there were the simpler times of just listening to music, enjoying a beer, eating jalapeño poppers, playing scratchers or “dropping a $20” in Laughlin. Every time we had with Dale was a good time.
    Dale, I hope you’re enjoying an Ultra and you’ve found a lucky poker machine to enjoy until we see you again. Laughlin will never be the same. 💔

  • Karen Elizabeth Fuller

    I remember Dale didn’t want a cat. He ended up with one anyway, he loved that cat! He used to make sure Gizmos cat food was warmed up in the microwave before it was served. R. I. P. Dale you were a good man.

  • Jean Steele

    Dale was always a source of entertainment to me, and we shared many laughs over silly things. He was devoted to his family which was all important to him. He enjoyed his music, sports and his Harley and gave his all to his career. He was a good husband, father, grandfather and friend.
    Rest in peace.
    From “Nobody”.

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