Dale Paul Christie TSgt USAF (Ret)

Dale Paul Christie TSgt USAF (Ret)

November 21, 1933 ~ March 20, 2019

Age 85

Dale was born at home, on a chilly night, November 21, 1933.  He lived at that time on Keystone Avenue in the city of Chicago.  Ater his birth, the family moved to Harlem Avenue, a little further out into the country.  As a child, he remembered pulling over the Christmas tree; the stands used at that time were full of water.  He remarked, “they say I made quite a mess.”

At the age of about five, his family moved to Bensenville, Illinois into a house that his dad had built with the help of his brother, Arthur.  They stayed in that house for quite awhile.  Dale attended grade school at the Elk Grove Elementary School, located on the corner of Higgins Road and Touhy Road, that area is now called Elk Grove.  The city bought the land they lived on to build O’Hare International Airport.  His dad had their house moved to Oakton Street just outside of Des Plaines, Illinois.  His dad bought a new house with the profits and sold the old house to his sister, Elaine.  The new house was only a block away, located on Lincoln Lane.

Dale attended Maine High in Park Ridge, Illinois his first year of high school.  The next year, the area where he lived was annexed by the city of Arlington Heights, Illinois; therefore, his next three years he attended Arlington Heights Township High School.  He really enjoyed his school years because he had some great friends and they had tremendous fun wherever they went.  His senior year he met his wife to be, Arlene, who lived in Chicago, Illinois.

Upon graduating from high school, Dale joined the United States Air Force.  He wanted to see the world.  He took basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, and was then transferred to Chanute AFB, Illinois to complete his training in Meteorology.  He was pleased to get his first choice in the field he desired.

Upon completion of Meteorology School, his first assignment was to Denver, Colorado.  From Denver, he was assigned to Japan for three years.  When he got home from Japan, he was assigned to O’Hare International Airport…talk about luck! Arlene and Dale got married in 1956 shorly after he arrived at O’Hare and being stationed just four miles from home.

While stationed at O’Hare, they had their first child, Debra in 1958.  Dale remained in the Air Force and not too long after Deb was born, he got orders to relocate to Dobbins AFB in Marietta, Georgia.  They lived in a mobile home so they had it moved from O’Hare to Marietta.  He really enjoyed his tour while stationed at Dobbin .  Next, they lived in Puerto Rico for three years.  After that, he put in for Chief’s School, so, they went back to Chanutte AFB for advanced training.  After the completion of that training, Dale was assigned to Duluth Air Force Station in Duluth, Minnosota (1964-1966).  It seemed like they weren’t there very long and again were reassigned to Oklahoma City Tinker AFB (1966-1968).  They enjoyed their tour there!  But, the Air Force wanted to keep him from gathering dust so they sent him to that wonderful place called Vietnam (1967-1968).   He couldn’t really say that he enjoyed that year, but their outfit kept going to the local orphanage in Can Tho, Vietnam, to help out the kids.  Dale took pictures of course, and Arlene sent one of the pictures back to him and suggested they adopt the little girl in the picture.  They did, and that’s how they were blessed by the daughter, MaiLyn.

After leaving Vienam, he was assigned to Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska (1968-1973). While stationed at Offutt, they had their second child, David.  That made a cozy nest of two plus three equals five.  Dale finally completed his twenty years of active duty while at Offutt.  He got discharged in June of 1973. 

After his military career, he worked for the grocery chain, Rubacks, as produce manager but “one gets tired of sticking one’s hands in rotten lettuce”.  Consequently, he ventured out on his own and opened up his own bucsiness-television, stereo and CB radio.  It didn’t work out too great so he went on to work for Blevins Popcorn Company, Omaha, Nebraska as their office manager.  What a FUN job!  Not too much pay, but lots of fun.  Then he attended a financial dinner seminar and saw something he wanted.  He went to work for N.I.S. Financial  Services/Ozark National Life and made a career of helping people save money for their future.  It was a blessing!  Dale also worked at the Base Commissary after he retired from all jobs.

Not really an exciting life, but he was so thankful that God blessed him with a wonderful wife, three wonderful children, and a healthy life.  What more could one ask for!

Dale was preceded in death by his parents Roy & Anna Christie; sister Elaine Zicari; brother Roger Christie.

Survived by his wife of 62 years Arlene; children Debbie Rogers, MaiLyn Van Sickle (Jim), David Christie (Lisa); grandchildren Andrew VanSickle, Daniel & Joshua Christie, Sarah Walters; great-grandson Kyson; nieces Cheri Proctor (Loren) & Lori, and many cousins.

Reception of Friends  Wednesday, March 27^th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., at Bellevue Memorial Chapel.

Funeral Service  Thursday, March 28^th, 1:00 p.m., at Bellevue Memorial Chapel.

Interment: Cedardale Cemetery

Memorials will be directed by the family