William Eaton Dam

1925 - 2022

William Eaton Dam
Jan. 8, 2022
William E. Dam, born Oct. 14, 1925, died peacefully at home on Jan. 8, 2022. He was father of Darien resident Mark Dam MD. In 1958, prior to Statehood, he was stationed on Elmendorf AFB, in Anchorage Alaska where he lived for 63 yrs. At 15 yrs. old, anxious to join the war effort, he joined the U.S. Cavalry and after finishing training his father caught up with him and brought him home as he was underaged. He later joined the Army Air Corps and became a pilot.
After the war Bill married Arline Patnaude ( who was to be awarded the Gold Medal of Valor for her heroism in the Great Alaskan Earthquake in 1964). After WWII he joined the Army Reserve and used his GI Bill to get his Commercial Pilot License, but was called back for the Korean war and his commercial pilot career was cut short. He then decided to enlist and thus became a veteran of the Viet Nam War. He retired with 27 yrs in service and a veteran of 3 wars. After retiring he joined the Civil Air Patrol and did search and rescue for downed or lost aircraft in the Anchorage area until he was 78 yrs old. Bill was very proud of achieving the rank of Lt. Col.
Bill also had a very successful career in construction and real estate development. He was very charming and very quick to stand up for his beliefs. He served his country with pride and honor, willing to sacrifice his life if needed. It is with great pride that his family will bury him in the National Cemetery on Fort Richardson with full military honors.
Bill and Arline had 4 sons, Bill, Jeff. Mark and Kip. Arline predeceased him and later he married Jeanette, who also predeceased him. He leaves his brother Rich, 3 daughters in laws, Kathy, Angeles, and Shirley,8 grandchildren, 13 greatgrandchildren and many friends.