Dale R. Herspring

Dale R. Herspring, 84, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away July 15, 2025, finding peace after fighting hard to make the world better his entire professional career.
A distinguished civil military relations expert, scholar, diplomat, military officer, and proud Eagle Scout, Dale dedicated his life to service-to his family, country, students, church, community, always working to make the world a better place for everyone.
Born on September 28, 1940, Dale spent a lifetime achieving what no one thought was possible. He attended Castro Valley High School, played football and received a passing grade in German if he promised his teacher he would never inflict the pain of teaching any foreign language to him on another human. His professions required language proficiency and Dale later became fluent in German, and mastered Russian, Polish and some Hawaiian. He and his teacher exchanged Christmas cards until she passed away in her 90s.
Dale earned degrees from Stanford University, Georgetown University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. He met his wife, Maureen, at Stanford and they married upon graduating in 1965. The newlyweds drove to Washington, DC where Dale earned is MA in government at Georgetown University in 1967. Then they both went to USC. Dale was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study at the Free University of Berlin where Dale researched his doctoral dissertation on the East German military using "theoretically" restricted access records at the State Library in East Berlin. Every weekday he crossed through the Berlin Wall carrying his research notes on cards hidden in his sweater pocket. Dale received his PhD in political science, Maureen her MA in history from USC in 1972.
Dale was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and remained deeply engaged in national security policy and Eastern European political affairs, playing a pivotal role in pre- and post-Soviet block policy. He and Maureen had a true partnership, always standing up for what was right throughout his career, as exemplified by hiding the Polish Ambassador Roman Spasowski and his wife Wanda in their home in the DC suburbs for 6 months when the Spasowskis defected. They also became close friends with Jan Karski and his wife Pola as well Jan Nowak, surrounding their children with phenomenal mentors who stood up for justice when they could have turned a blind eye.
He served with distinction in the U.S. Navy for 32 years, initially enlisting, then rising through the ranks as a mustang and retiring as a Captain. His naval career was marked by integrity, leadership, and deep commitment to the ideals of public service. Dale served as a foreign service officer from 1971-91, including assignments as an arms control specialist for the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, consular officer at U.S. embassy in Warsaw, Poland, political-military affairs officer at U.S. embassy in Moscow, USSR (now Russia), deputy director of Office of East European Affairs, director of Office of Security Analysis, senior staff member of Policy Planning Council of the secretary of state, and senior advisor for Soviet and academic affairs to the chief of naval operations. After retiring from the State Department he became a professor at the National War College in Washington DC, 1991-93. He was hired by Kansas State University, Manhattan, as a full professor of political science,1993-2015 and head of department, 1993-2000. In 2007 Dale was selected to become a University Distinguished Professor. In 1996 Dale founded the Political, Military, and Diplomatic Lecture Series bringing senior academics, retired military and political officials, and foreign officials to KSU to provide graduate students and members of the community an opportunity to meet and discuss problems of international relations with experts. The series continues today under the leadership of the KSU Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. Dale retired in 2015 and became a University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science. Dale also taught classes as an adjunct professor at a number of other universities including Georgetown University, 1982-93; University of Maryland-College Park, 1988-89; Columbia University, the Harriman Institute for the Advanced Study of the Soviet Union, 1990-91; George Washington University, 1992-93; and as a visiting professor at the University of Kansas, Center for Russian and East European Studies,1998-2007. Among his awards were a Fulbright fellowship,1969-71; U.S. Department of State, Superior Honor Award, 1983, Meritorious Honor Award, 1988; grant from U.S. Institute of Peace, 1991-92; senior fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, 1991-92. His scholarship of over 13 books and countless articles on civil-military relations and Russian defense policy earned international recognition, with major publications such as Rumsfeld's Wars and The Kremlin and the High Command cementing his legacy in the field.
He and Maureen created a life where their door was always open – hosting numerous holidays with anyone who needed a place to be welcome and celebrate regardless of faith or background. The image of Dale standing with his arms spread wide in welcome to whomever is one we will carry with us always. That and vetting the captain's quarters for the film Hunt for Red October and being asked by Sean Connery to teach him the phrases and terms a Russian submarine Captain would use – that was cool.
Dale is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Maureen; their three children, Larissa (John), Kurt (Megan), and Kyle (Barb); seven grandchildren, Cole, Ella, Ben, Grace, Ruby, Grant, and Gianna; and four nieces and nephews, Chuck, Jolie, David and Devon. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, a loving grandfather, and a man of honor, intellect, and a wicked sense of humor. Dale said his greatest accomplishments were convincing Maureen to marry him, and their family. He could light up any room he entered, loved Maureen beyond reason, and lived to tease those he loved.
For a kid who started from proud but modest beginnings, entered the Navy as a seaman and retired as a Navy Captain; progressed from Eagle Scout to distinguished professor, Dale lived a life defined by leadership, service, and purpose. His legacy of firm pursuit of excellence along with wit and humor endures in the lives he touched and the principles he upheld.
Rosary will be at 5:00 pm, Sunday, July 27, 2025; Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Monday, July 28, 2025, both at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church. Graveside Service will follow at 3:00 pm at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, Winfield, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to: Tattered Paws, 4232 Spring Creek Ln., Bellingham, WA 98226 ; or Catholic Care Center, General Fund, 6700 East 45th St. North, Bel Aire, Kansas, 67226.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
Rosary:
Sunday, July 27, 2025 5:00 pm
Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church
4910 N. Woodlawn
Bel Aire, KS 67220
Funeral Mass:
Monday, July 28, 2025 11:00 am
Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church
4910 N. Woodlawn
Bel Aire, KS 67220
Graveside Service:
Monday, July 28, 2025 3:00 pm
Kansas Veterans' Cemetery
1208 N. College St., P.O. Box 626
Winfield, KS 67156