Dale Francis Tappe 1937-2012

Dale Francis Tappe, of Crocker, Missouri, was born on October 2, 1937 to Henry (Hank) and Myrtle (Smith). He died on May 17, 2012, at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, after suffering a series of strokes. He was 74 years old.

Dale grew up in Dallas, South Dakota, and graduated from Gregory High School in 1955. He joined the military when he was 17 years old and served in the United States Navy for three years before joining the United States Army. He retired as a 23-year veteran, after spending three tours in Vietnam and serving his country faithfully. He also worked as a carpenter and as a gold miner in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Dale married his wife of 39 years on January 17, 1970, at the Crocker Christian Church in Missouri. Sandra passed away in 2009, and together they leave behind one daughter, Stephanie Walter, of Columbia, her husband, Dusty, and three grandchildren—Kate, Claire and Ben. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lee, of South Dakota; his sister, Marge, of Colorado; and his brother Maynard, of California. Many family members and close friends, including his sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces will miss the love, strength and wit that Dale brought to their lives.

After retiring from the military in 1981, Dale continued to work for the U. S. Army as an audio/visual equipment operator in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Later, he served as a correctional officer at the Jefferson City Correction Center, owned and operated Abe’s Café in Crocker, raised honeybees and cattle, and enjoyed gardening. He often quoted the Sam Walter Foss poem, “But let me live by the side of the road and Be a friend to man.” Dale eventually settled on his 60-acre farm in Crocker, which he enjoyed and loved. There, he had his house by the side of the road, and he was, indeed, a friend to man.

Dale was active in the Crocker Christian Church as a deacon for many years, and he loved studying the Bible and teaching others. He was a man of faith who loved the Lord; he passed that faith to his family who can celebrate that he is now in Heaven, his true home.

Funeral services were held for Dale on Monday, May 21st, in the Crocker Christian Church, Crocker, Missouri, with Bro. Larry Richards officiating.

Interment with full military honors was in the Crocker Public Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Crocker. Pallbearers for Dale were Dusty Walter, Stuart Walter, David Plemmons, Bill Plemmons, John David Kinsley and Jim Wells. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Tingle, Charles Pummill and Benny Brown.