Dale Chrysler passed away peacefully Wednesday November 20, 2013  with his family by his side.  He passed away after a long Minnesota goodbye due to Alzheimer's disease.  Dale grew up in Hartley, Iowa.  He attended Chico State (CA) college before joining the Army. He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir VA and while there he met Rochester native Marian (Van Beers) and they were married at St. Johns, August 7, 1954.  He was stationed at the Army War College in Pennsylvania where he was trained as a cryptographer. He was then posted to Frankfurt Germany where their first son was born.

After finishing college at Winona State, he taught history for a short time and then joined the Social Security Administration as a Field Representative. He was at the vanguard of data processing while working for the Social Security Administration in the early 1960's.  When the Mayo Clinic began using computers in 1965, Dale was hired as the first computer programmer there.  He retired 25 years later having served in a variety of senior administrative staff positions.

He was the first elected Rochester Catholic School Board member from St. Johns parish.  He fought hard for all parochial school students to ride the school bus for free.  His lovely baritone voice added to the Rochester Male Chorus and the St. John's Church choir.  He was a member of the Ham Radio Club and had radio contacts from around the world.

He was fortunate to have many good years in retirement before he became ill.  Trips abroad and winters in Texas were his favorite.  He was active in the Mayo Clinic volunteer program greeting visitors at the information desk and in the history center.  He was the quintessential putterer in the garden and garage. He also played in the golf league at Willow Creek for many seasons. His woodworking projects adorn the homes, yards, and toy boxes of friends and family.

He will be sorely missed by his wife of 59 years, Marian, and his six children Steve, Alan, Dan, Tim, Kathy and Susan – all graduates of Lourdes High School – their spouses, 14 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.  He shared his love of good music, good puns, and good tomatoes with them all.  He appreciated the many years his wife devoted to his care during his illness.

A special thanks to Dr. A. Greenlund and the St. Mary's 3-Domatilla staff as well as Seasons Hospice.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mayo Clinic for Alzheimer's research or the Lourdes Foundation.

Visitation will be Sunday Nov 24 ^th 3:00 – 6:00 PM in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, officiated by Msgr. Gerald Mahon on Monday 25 ^th at 10:00 AM. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery Rochester.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.