Dale Edgar Van Vlack, a 51-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on June 18 at age 99.
Dale and his twin sister Gail were born on April 26, 1923, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Family on their father’s side moved to Southern California in the 1920s. During the Great Depression the remaining members of the family followed them west.
Dale enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as a radioman in the Pacific Theater during World War II. During his service he was selected for the Navy’s V-12 college training program and was sent to Stanford.
After the war, Dale attended USC and earned a degree in aerospace engineering, graduating in 1950. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War.
With his military service completed, Dale worked for 25 years as an aerospace engineer at Hughes Aircraft Company, where he met his future wife, Nancy. They were married at the Palisades Presbyterian Church on July 23, 1960. They raised two daughters, Kat and Kristin.
In his later years, Dale kept active helping with the family business: The Village Store, a women’s clothing store that opened on Antioch Street in 1948 and closed in 1998. He and his wife Nancy supported the Village Green, which was built in 1973 across from their store.
“Dad was one of the original members of the Village Green committee,” said his daughter Kristin. “He always helped put the Christmas lights on the trees.”
Dale was one of the first members at the Spectrum Club gym, where he would exercise regularly well into his 80s. He also enjoyed weekly golf outings with local businessmen, who over the years included Bob Dickey, Ed Jacobson, John Harrington, Vince Mangio and Wally Miller.
“Dad and his golf buddies played every Thursday and liked to try out new courses,” said Kristin. “They would always end the day with a nice dinner — and dessert! They had so much fun.”
An active 26-year member of the American Legion, Dale often volunteered his time at Post 283 and at the V.A. campus, especially assisting with the lunches served to veterans. He and Nancy enjoyed the Big Band dinner/dances organized at the Post for many years by Emil Wroblicky.
In addition to Nancy, his wife of 63 years, Dale is survived by daughters Kristin and Kat, and grandchildren Tyler and Alex Hill.
A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on July 9 at Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, 15821 Sunset Blvd.
Beautiful tribute to our amazing Uncle Dale. He and his twin sister Gail were always my
Favorites and I looked up to both of them over the years. I’m so thankful I had so many
Wonderful visits with them whenever I could manage a trip south from my home in
Washington state. My Uncle Dale’s first visit to meet me was when I was a baby in Richland, WA. He was stationed then at Farragut Naval Base on Lake PendOroielle. Little did we know then that I would end up living just a few miles south of their in Hayden, ID where I now reside. I miss my Uncle Dale as much or more than I always
Knew I would. He was such a great example of a very vital and loving man and role model for our family. Love you and miss you so much “Unc”. Always❤️