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Dale Bancroft Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Dale Bancroft
Robin Davis
May 2, 2025
Pat still misses her soulmate every day.
Sarah Spottswood
May 9, 2024
Super sweet sentiments of a true legend. Not a day goes by I don´t think of him. Love lives forever.
Love you Mom.
Pat Bancroft Sessions
May 3, 2024
The memories of my life with Dale have sustained me through these 13 years. Today as I read his wonderful obituary and the comments from others about their memories of him, I continue to feel the presence of him as life goes on. I cherish this feeling. Thank you.
Sarah Spottswood
May 2, 2020
We love you Dale and miss you everyday. But will continue to carry you in our hearts. Love you forever. XO, Steven and Sarah and Mona
Sarah Spottswood
May 2, 2019
Think of him everyday. Such a special guy.
Candy Johnson
June 1, 2011
Pat - I worked for Mr. Bancroft in Milwaukee up until the move to Oconomowoc. When I started I found out that I was pregnant and thought that I may lose my job but he was so nice about everything and even let me hire a temporary replacement, he said that he had hired enough people that didn't work out and after that he let me help interview all new employees. I learned so much from him. I never had the opportunity to travel as my two daughters were 18 months apart. You are certainly lucky to have spent time with him as he was a wonderful man. May God bless you and bring you comfort. Candy Johson (was Mahler)
May 17, 2011
Dear Pat,
You and Dale were such wonderful friends to my dad and Virginia. I certainly envied the outstanding trips you shared, and always knew that they were in expert hands.
I made a small donation to the Cairn Rescue Fund, but couldn't quite figure out how to make it in Dale's memory. Bet he could have solved that problem!
Beth Markham Nicholson
Boulder, Colorado
Alan Bartel
May 14, 2011
Dear Pat, please accept our condolences for your loss of Dale. He was an extraordinary man. I am the third son of William Bartel who came to work as a travel agent for the Bancrofts in 1955 and stayed until his retirement in 1978. He enjoyed working for them very much and was able to lead tour groups all over the world. I and my three brothers went downtown many times as kids to the office and got to know the Bancrofts very well. They came out to our house many times and I remember visiting them in their home also. We are very proud that our dad worked for such a fine couple and are grateful for all of his experiences that he had with them. We thank the Lord that he had the opportunities for such a wonderful carreer with them. Again we are so sorry for your loss and hope you will find comfort from all Mr. Bancroft's friends.
Tami Evensen
May 13, 2011
Dear Pat,
I just learned this evening from my sister about Dale. I am very sorry for your loss. I so enjoyed working with both of you. Dale was such an incredible man and had a passion for everything he did, whether it was at work or at home. And I can't thank him enough for creating a memory for our family that we will never forget with our trip to Egypt. I am so very happy that our paths crossed. He was a wonderful man who touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
Gitte Berten
May 13, 2011
My Thoughts are with you Patricia, Elizabeth and Sarah. May your memories be beautiful.
Gitte Berten (Minstraat Schulen, Belgium)
Audra Noble
May 13, 2011
paul and i send our condolences to pat and our friends sarah and steven
Steve & Sarah Spottswood
May 13, 2011
There are so many wonderful things being said about this incredible man. We are both really looking forward to the celebration of his life this weekend and reminiscing over the precious memories we have shared.
Mom, I'm so happy that you had Dale to take you under his wing and protect you. Now is your time to fly. Just know that I'm always by your side.
We love you.
Mike Smith
May 12, 2011
Dear Pat –
I am so very sorry about your loss.
Dale was a sharp businessman, a wonderful salesman and a fine gentleman. He was always very willing to share his knowledge and experience with others for the betterment of the travel industry. Deservedly, this fine man will always be regarded by his clients and by his peers as the gold standard of travel agents.
We will all miss Dale very much.
Jake Henderson
May 11, 2011
Pat-
Thanks for getting in touch with my parents. I was sad to hear that Mr. Bancroft passed away. I kind of thought he would just live forever. I learned a lot from him and he made a huge impact on my life. I had the opportunity to work for him (and you) for about 8 years. And most of the time he was working right beside me, I hope to be able to do the same thing when I am his age. I use the skills I learned at my own home and yard in Minneapolis.
I really loved the property and felt a part of the family when I worked and ate lunch with you both. It was an amazing experience and great job as a teenager!
Mr. Bancroft kept working and working and working. I remember some Saturdays and Sundays when I was tired and wanted to call it quits and this old man just kept going. It was inspiring and I know that the work ethic and energy kept him young for so many years. I loved that property almost as much as he did.
I appreciate everything that you both did for me! And I always have envied the travel stories I heard over the lunch table.
Thank you so much for the experiences. Our prayers are with you and you family.
Jake Henderson
May 11, 2011
Dear Pat,
We had the opportunity to meet Dale several times and we became true friends and made precious memories.
It was an honour to know Dale.
Tony and Gerda,Schulen,Belgium.
Pat Bancroft
May 10, 2011
How precious are your tender comments; how well I know them to be true! Dale set an example for a full life, well lived and I am so lucky to have shared that life for 12+ years. We can all honor his memory by living each day to the fullest and remembering his favorite motto: Just you do the right thing... and everything will work out eventually.
John & Wendy Marx
May 9, 2011
Dale was a great neighbor to have. We always looked forward to his visits on his gator & his many interesting stories. Dale was very generous in sharing his apples from his trees too! His warm, welcoming smile & kindness will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pat and the family & if there is anything we can do to help you out, please don't hesitate.
Mark Conroy
May 9, 2011
Dale was a great gentleman and mentor to me in the developing my career.
He knew more about the world than most people will ever learn and was always an innovator. He kept a mailing list of his clients before anyone thought about and before the day of faxes and emails he would send pictures of his clients with an outline of their needs to tour operators all over the world to make sure his travelers received a warm & proper welcome and wonderful service.
He was truly a pioneer in the luxury cruise and travel industry and his intelligences, good nature and keen wit will be missed by all who knew him.
Our thoughts & prayers are with Pat and the family in this time of sorrow.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
James Flynn
May 9, 2011
Dale was a legendary giant in the travel industry. Like a great artist or musician, he knew how to take his vast knowledge of travel and places around the world and translate them in such a manner that his clients would want to experience these adventures. Even more importantly, he was able to accomplish all of this while remaining a true gentleman. In fact, that was probably the secret of his success!
I first met this icon almost thirty years ago when I was new to the cruise industry after having worked for British Airways for ten years. He quickly became a life-long friend and mentor.
The travel industry has lost a great leader, and I will miss a true friend.
My partner, Bill Wiley, and I send our love and sympathy to Pat, who was such a great companion to Dale.
Gayle Mitchell
May 9, 2011
Dear Pat,
We are so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by your many memories of your life together. He was a fine gentleman and we truly enjoyed our short association with him.
Gayle Mitchell
Robin Davis
May 9, 2011
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. It was an honor to know Dale. I look forward to the celebration of his life on Saturday.
Roger Mitchell
May 9, 2011
Dale and Pat bought our Wisconson homestead in 2004 and, in the process of the real estate proceedings, became good friends. We even had a group hug at the closing which, we learned from our realtor, is unusual.
Dale was an exceptional individual and we regret that we didn't get to know him better.
Our sympathies go out to Pat and the family.
Roger & Gayle Mitchell
Hilton Head SC
June Schroeder
May 8, 2011
The sparkle in his eyes has left us but the sparkle of his life has not. Always a gentleman, he filled a room with his style, grace, determination and wit. It was my honor to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you readjust to lives filled with special memories of times with Dale.
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