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DALE LLOYD GIFFORD

1950 - 2018

BORN

1950

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, LTD.

120 West Park Avenue

Libertyville, Illinois

DALE GIFFORD Obituary

Dale Lloyd Gifford, 68, passed away peacefully on Friday June 22nd, in his home in Libertyville, IL after a brief and valiant fight with cancer. He was surrounded by family as he moved on to continue his work for The Kingdom of God. Dale was born on May 30, 1950 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin to the late Wilfred and Priscilla Gifford. He attended Ladysmith High School and was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1968. Dale studied Actuarial Science at The University of Wisconsin - Madison. While a student, Dale married his High School Sweetheart Becky (Jordan) Gifford on December 19, 1970. In May of 1972 Dale graduated and embarked on a career doing what he loved. Dale started as an Actuary at Hewitt Associates in the summer of 1972 and remained there until his retirement in 2006. During those years, Dale served in a variety of roles, including Manager in the Actuarial Group, Southwest Region Manager, Midwest Region Manager and Manager of Hewitt International offices. In 1992, Dale was appointed as the third Chief Executive of Hewitt Associates and when Hewitt went public in June 2002, Dale became the Chairman of the Hewitt Board as well as CEO - both positions he held until his 2006 retirement. Throughout Dale's professional tenure he was regarded as a bright, humble leader who always made time for those around him. These traits carried over to Dale's philanthropic endeavors as well, where he mentored and developed countless leaders while serving on boards to several Christian organizations. During his retirement Dale stayed very active enjoying time with family and friends, seeing the world and continuing to serve in several ministries. Dale's interests were vast and he focused his time, talents and treasure in places he felt he could have the most impact - including 5 years in an Executive Pastor role. He also had a special place in his heart for children who lacked access to quality education and healthcare and was committed to do what he could to help. In recognition of this, the family is asking in lieu of flowers for contributions to be made to Oasis for Orphans, an organization that deeply touched Dale and his family. Contributions towards the Dale Gifford Memorial Fund will be used to provide quality education and healthcare to orphans in the southwest region of Kenya. Dale is survived by his wife Becky; his children Scott (Jennifer), Derek (Ariele) and Kristen Holdcoft (David); his grandchildren Mitchell, Allyson, Jacob, Nathan, Harrison, Kinsie, Bailey and Kelson; and his sister Kathleen. He is preceded in death by his sister Sandra; and his parents Wilfred and Priscilla. A celebration of Life will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 27, 2018 at Christ Church, 100 Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville. Arrangements made by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville. For info, 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com or visit www.dalegiffordmemorial.com for more information.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Herald on Jun. 26, 2018.

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Mike Lee

December 28, 2018

I was out of the country this summer so I missed this news completely. When I heard, it broke my heart. As others have said, Dale was a wonderful, engaging, enthusiastic coach anyone could want. He lived his phrase - take your job seriously, not yourself. Self effacing with ease, he guided the organization through some real challenges. Thank you Dale for your steadfast leadership during my 16 years with Hewitt. I remember them and you fondly.

Phil Chapleau

June 27, 2018

Dale was a genuinely nice person. He always had a a kind word for people or a smile. I worked at Hewitt for 14 years and was there when he retired. He will truly be missed.

June 27, 2018

So sad to hear! I worked for Hewitt for 10 Years and it was the best place to work. It had great leadership and it valued it's employees. Thank you Dale, for making Hewitt the best place to work.

Laverne Jacob

June 27, 2018

I worked at Hewitt when Dale was the CEO and you couldn't meet a more friendly person than he was I always noticed him saying hello to everybody no matter who it was he would smile and say hello we didn't have a CEO after that who did that I just remember how comfortable he made everybody feel and I know he's going to be greatly missed I never actually knew him personally but I did know him as I was the receptionist over at Hewit he was just an awesome person we will miss him very much

Scott Messick

June 26, 2018

My condolences for your loss. Dale was a great and kind man and I enjoyed working for him Scott

Jenni Cole

June 26, 2018

Praying for your family as you grieve. My heart hurts for you all. Sending love and prayers.

Mike Weber

June 26, 2018

Dale was an inspirational and influential leader whose actions advanced God's Kingdom by touching lives in extraordinary ways. It is a privilege to have known him.

Jason Groszek

June 26, 2018

As a child of God and Hewitt I am truly saddened. My thoughts and prayers to family. Rest assured what Dale imparted upon us will be forever carry on and his legacy will never be forgotten.

Dorothy Casey

June 25, 2018

Dale was an incredible man and leader. The qualities I admired most about Dale while working with him at Hewitt were his honesty, integrity commitment and passion. He took pride in connecting with associates, acknowledging that people were the greatest asset.

May you find peace and strength in the memories and legacy that Dale has left behind. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Joe Tirio

June 25, 2018

Dear Gifford Family, I was fortunate enough to serve under Dale while at Hewitt Associates for nearly 10 years. Dale was every bit as much a part of the Hewitt culture as Jobs was Apple's. Where Apple measures their success in revenue, we measured it with metrics like the number of "Enthusiastic References" from our client companies and "SWE" (satisfying work environment) reported from our "Associates" (we never called them employees back then). "Dale's Way" at Hewitt was hard work and long hours to be sure, but it was also work and a workplace you could be immensely proud of. Dale valued people in a way seldom seen before or since. He saw diversity and inclusion not so much as a burdensome obligation, but rather, as a source of opportunity and competitive advantage. The organization sought to bring in talented people from all walks of life, not just to fulfill a quota, but to realize the full creative and operational potential that only such a varied culture could bring.

It was a remarkable place to work that could only have been brought to life by an equally remarkable person. His vision of a workplace balanced grace against grit, competitiveness against collaboration, but more than anything else, valued the people that lived the vision and values he taught. "Never underestimate the power of people", said our slogan (as I remember it). We were a powerful mosaic of individuals held together by the culture Dale created and we were capable of just about anything.

There is a bit of a lump in my throat as I write this, knowing that the world has lost a good man, where good men are seldom found. He will live on in the hearts of the many who knew and appreciated all that he did and worked for.

Mike Garrett

June 25, 2018

What an incredible man and leader! Dale, your humility was something that I sincerely admired. I know that Im a better person because I was given the opportunity to meet and get to know you. You have fought the good fight! Please Rest In Peace

Linda Thornton

June 24, 2018

Nay God continue to bless you in your new life serving Jesus...what an honor!

Patricia Byrne

June 24, 2018

Dear Gifford family: I was fortunate to know Dale during my 12 year career with Hewitt Associates. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. His legacy is strong and so powerful with those of us privileged to work with him.

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Jul

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Celebration of Life

10:00 a.m.

Christ Church

100 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL

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Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, LTD.

120 West Park Avenue, Libertyville, IL 60048

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