Dale Paul HAMMERMEISTER

1946 - 2017

HAMMERMEISTER, Dale Paul 70, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 11, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife and daughter at his side. Dale suffered a sudden massive brain bleed on Thursday and never regained consciousness. Dale leaves behind his beloved wife of 45 years, Susy; daughter, Shannon and granddaughters, Fiona and Miralee, in Austin, Texas; and daughter, Heather in San Diego, California, as well as his seven brothers and sisters: Karl in Colorado; Helen in Oregon; Jay in France; Koko, Beth and Jon in Washington and Anne in Canada. Dale was born in Puyallup, Washington in July 1946. He spent his childhood in his home town and attended college nearby. After earning his BA in Education from the University of Washington, he spent two years in Guyana in the Peace Corps. He then earned his MS in Chemistry from Denver University and his PhD in Soil Science from Oregon State University. Dale discovered a taste for moving after college and was always open to changing jobs and cities. Since he was a brilliant and much sought-after hydrogeologist, he went from strength to strength in his career, working for the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Energy, Nye County, and several environmental consulting companies. Dale had an incomparable work ethic. He truly lived for his work, especially fieldwork. Co-workers affectionately called him the Badger because he loved to dig so much. Everyone who met Dale loved him. Completely unassuming, kind, and generous, he had the sweetest smile on earth. As brother, husband, father, and friend, he was the cheerleader when spirits were down and always ready to listen, to play, or to help with any task. He was an advocate and inspiration for everyone who worked with him, and a patient, tireless mentor for young scientists. Modest and self-effacing, he never believed the immense positive impact he made on others. Dale adored his work, his wife, his daughters, his large extended family, his pets, all food but mostly Susy's, and mowing his beloved grass. He was never happier than when he was outside doing something physically strenuous, preferably in the hot sun. He never stopped moving or smiling from the moment he opened his eyes in the morning. A genuinely happy man, he lived in the moment and never dwelled on the past or fretted about the future. Dale developed Lewy Body Dementia in his late 50s. Unable to continue his career, he volunteered for several non-profits in Reno, Nevada, until no longer able to do so. Throughout this chapter in his life he kept his sweet nature and helpful, optimistic attitude and won the hearts of all who cared for him. Dale and his huge heart will be so very, very missed. A memorial gathering is planned for the spring on Mt. Charleston, his favorite place on earth.