Dale-Thornburgh-Obituary

Dr. Dale Alden Thornburgh

Arcata, California

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Arcata, California

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Dr. Dale Alden Thornburgh Dale Alden Thornburgh was born on Dec. 1, 1931, in Tiffin, Ohio and passed away on Feb. 24, 2013, with his family at his side. He grew up in Missoula, Montana and Bremerton, Washington. He received a BS and PhD in Forestry from the University of Washington and a MS in...

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I have thought about Dale since he passed. my wife and I have stayed in arcata for multiple weeks over the last 3 years. We visited with Pat, Dale's wife, of many years every time and spent time at dances and eating with her. she has the tranquility and friendliness I recall about dale. as a major professor, he was easy going. as a human being he was the same and interested in other people.

I awoke from a dream this early April morning and something told me to search for Dale. I am saddened by his passing, but truly thankful to have known him.

Few have had a more profound influence on my life than Dale Thornburgh and his family.

Love and condolences.

The world and I will miss Dale. A great person, colleague, and friend. He lived a great life and did much good. May God keep his spirit alive in those he knew.

I had my first exposure to silviculture from Dale in 1966. I worked with him on occasion at HSU in the '90's. He was ahead of his time in forest perspective. He'll be greatly missed.

I spent many days walking in the woods with Dale during our shared time at the Pacific Forest Trust, learning about redwood ecology. But maybe more valuable to me was his advice about traveling the world with our children, allowing them to be partners in shared discovery. I will always be thankful to him.

I too am saddened by the passing of Dr. Thornburgh. I was a student of his in the 60's and he made a lifelong positive impression on me. He will be missed.

Dale was my major professor in the mid 70's and had a positive influence on me as a future forester (actually professor, not forester) and a human being. I was lucky enough to spend many days working in the woods looking for Brewer spruce with him and having great conversations over camp fires. I suspect he was a role model for some us who believed that "it's all relative." Dale liked to be different and we benefited from it and it brought enjoyment and smiles to many lives.

I am saddened to hear of Dr. Dale Thornburgh's passing. I extend my condolences to the Dale Thornburgh family and to Dr. Thornburgh's friends and colleagues. I know he took great pride in his work at Humboldt State University. I admire both the quality of Dr. Thornburgh's professional work and its impact. Dr. Thornburgh lives on in each of us who were fortunate enough to know him.
Sincerely Dr. Doug