Dr. Raymond Dahlin

Dr. Raymond D. Dahlin California/East Chicago Dr. Raymond D. Dahlin, former Palomar College Speech and Debate Coach, Professor and former area resident died in California. Noted educator and friend of youth and college students alike, Dr. Raymond D. Dahlin PhD, a former resident of East Chicago, passed away July 16, 2004 at his home in Poway, California. He was 73. Raymond Donald Dahlin was born on December 15, 1930 in East Chicago, Indiana to his father, East Chicago Firefighter Lieutenant, Carl Louis Dahlin Sr. who proceeded him in death in 1992, and his mother Mary Dahlin (Rybenske) who also preceded him in death in 1993. He was also preceded in death by his oldest brother Charles L. Dahlin in 2002. Dr. Dahlin was a 1949 graduate of East Chicago Washington High School where he participated in the marching band, playing the saxaphone. He was also a member of the Speech and Debate team and instrumental in not only winning many awards, but was also a State Championship debater, where he debated against the late Hollywood actor and later friend, James Dean. He also played varsity basketball as well as serving as the Senior Class Student Mayor (President). Upon graduating from high school, Dr. Dahlin moved to San Diego, California in the fall of 1949 to pursue a B.A. in Speech Arts which he subsequently received with honors from San Diego State University, graduating as a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Soon after receiving his degree, he joined the Army Adjutant Corps and Special Services. Upon returning to civilian life with an honorable discharge, Dahlin furthered his education by pursuing and subsequently receiving a M.A. in Public Address with a special emphasis in radio and television broadcasting and production also from San Diego State. Eventually, Dahlin took it the one step further when he pursued and subsequently received a PhD in Rhetorical Criticism from Western Golden Colorado University in 1974. After receiving his Masters Degree in the late 1950's, Dr. Dahlin taught Speech and Debate at San Diego State University as well as at several local San Diego Community Colleges and High Schools. During these years he produced his own television program in San Diego called"Teens-N-Twenties" featuring the top hairstyles and fashions of the day. During the 1960's he married Donna Edens and in 1965, he was offered, and subsequently accepted the Department Chairpersons and Deans position for the Department of Speech, Theater, Arts and Dance Department as well as becoming the Director of Forensics and the Pre-Law Department in conjunction with being a full professor and the Head Speech Coach at Palomar Junior College in San Marcos, California. He held these positions until his retirement in 1998 following a massive stroke.