Dale Nyles Worfel died Feb 3, 2011. He was a graduate of Ottawa High School in GRand Rapids, MI. After graduation he enlisted in the US Navy in flight training. He received his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University.
Upon marriage to Betty in 1948. Dale went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad where he became a district manager. This involved rail inspection and train wreck clean up engineering. He had to move his family an average of very couple of years to the city of a major train accident, anywhere from Ohio to New York to Maryland and in between.
In 1964, Dale took a consulting engineering position with TAD and Associates in Moylan, PA, from which he retired in 1985. In retirement, he enjoyed living outside of Traverse City, MI on the Boardman River during the summer and Naples, FL in the winter.
Dale was a man of many skills, talents, and hobbies. He was a master fly fisherman, oil painting artist, and a published poet. He enjoyed camping, canoeing, fishing, snow skiing, fly trying, bird hunting, travel, photography, bird watching, horseback riding, playing cards (gin rummy, cribbage, and setback) collecting flowers to create greeting cards and solving crossword puzzles.
Above all, Dale was a devoted husband, loving father, and grandfather. We have faith that God has welcomed Dale into the Gates of Heaven.
Dale is survived by his wife Barbara Novak whom he married in 2001; his children, Robert (Linda) Worfel and Susan (Charles) Dietrich; and grandchildren, Robert E. Worfel, Christopher Worfel, Andrea Warren Smith, Brandy Warren, Scott Dietrich, and Kayla Dietrich.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years Betty J Bale; parents, Fanny and Earl Worfel; brother Robert and sister, Jule.
Interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI in the spring.
