Dale Eugene Savidge

SAVIDGE,
Dale Eugene

Dale was born August 17, 1921 in Belleville, Kansas, the oldest of three children of Arthur W. and Amy (Nesmith) Savidge.
His early years took him to Topeka, Abiline, and Herington, Kansas, where he met Betty L. Olson, the
love of his life, whom he married on July 17, 1943 in Deming, New Mexico. They enjoyed 68 wonderful years together.
His was a railroad family (Rock Island) of which he had many fond memories. Dale was athletically inclined, participating in numerous sports during his early years. He lettered in varsity basketball and football, and captained the softball team in high school. He boxed and wrestled in college. As an "Aviation Cadet" he captained the softball team where the team members name themselves "The Savidges." He was an avid sports follower his whole life.
After high school he attended Northern Colorado University for a year. He then went to work for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, CA, and then Beach Aircraft in Witchita, KS. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, he chose to enlist in the Army Air Corp where he served as a B-17 bombardier - navigator in the 8th Air Force. He flew 35 combat missions over Europe from England. He also flew missions on D-Day against enemy forces at Normandy Beach.
The war in Europe over, his life was again with Betty and the children. He chose to stay in the newly formed U.S. Air Force as part of he Strategic Air Command (SAC) flying the B-29, B-50, B-47, and lastly the B-52. He had a total of over 5,600 hours of military flying time. The most fulfilling and with a sense of accomplishment came from non-flying positions, Staff & Command assignments, having to do with people and relationships. After extended tours in Okinawa, Taiwan, and South Vietnam, Dale's military career of almost 30 years ended. Heading back to the USA honorably discharged at Travis Air Force Base, CA, on September 1, 1971, and up to Spokane, WA where he had served three years at Fairchild Air Force Base prior to his Southeast Asia assignments. Dale and Betty's years after those in the military were most remarkable. God had sustained and blessed them so wonderfully, enabling them to serve in numerous and various capacities, all of which were to bring honor and glory to God's name. They have had a cherished life at Riverview Retirement Village for the last 13 years, living independently in their lovely cottage.
Dale is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Cheryl (Jim) Gray of
Camas, WA, Craig (Carol) Savidge of Priest River, ID, and Marc (Kathy) Savidge of Seattle, WA; his grandchildren, Carrie (Eddie) Davis, Kristin (Tobin) Cobeaga, Kim (Scott) Doherty, Jennifer (Ryan) Kuster, Megan Shakeshaft, Josh Gray, Stephanie Savidge, and Emily Savidge; his great grandchildren, Levi Doherty, Chase Doherty, Raegan Doherty, Emmy Doherty, Nathan Shakeshaft, Emma Shakeshaft, Ty Davis, Cody Davis, Lindsay Kuster, Corbin Kuster, and Lauren Kuster; his sister, Jacquelyn Coholan, of Woodland, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Maurice Dean Savidge, who died March 5, 1945 at Iwo Jima.
A Memorial Service in his honor will be held Saturday, February 11th at 2:00pm at Fourth Memorial Church, 2000 N. Standard, Spokane, WA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution be made to the Union Gospel Mission, 1224 E. Trent Ave, Spokane, WA.