Dale Ray Rath, age 86, passed away at his farm in Gales Creek on December 25th surrounded by family.
Dale was born in Magazine Arkansas in 1931 to Ray and Senora Rath. Later, Dale’s family moved to Lefors Texas where he graduated from High School in 1948. Dale went on to attend the Institute of Technology in Stillwater Oklahoma where he received an Associate’s Degree in Drafting and Design.
After graduating he moved to Manhattan Beach, California where he met and married the love of his life, Frances Towle in 1959. In 1961 Dale moved his family to Oregon in search of a quieter lifestyle. He settled in Gales Creek and purchased the farm where he remained for 55 years until his death.
Dale worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Tektronix for 30 years.
Dale was preceded in death by his wife Frances Rath and son Wayne Rath along with Dale’s brother Dean Rath and sister Jean Stracner. He is survived by his sister Peggy Burkett of Quinlan Texas, daughter Linda Rawlins of Redmond, Oregon, and son John Rath of Gales Creek. He also leaves behind 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
He will always be remembered for his faith in God, his fierce patriotism and his loyalty to his wife and family.
A celebration of life for Dale Rath will be held at the Gales Creek Church of God on Saturday, February 23 at 3 p.m. The celebration will be a potluck dinner, so bring a side dish or dessert to share.
