Dale G. Shellhorn

Dale Garvin Shellhorn lived 93 years strong, passing away at home with family by his side on October 31, 2024. Dale rose from a small town in Missouri to become an accomplished engineer in the aerospace industry and a pioneer in mapping the moon. Dale was the life of the party, always showing up with a good bottle of whiskey, quick wit and a story for any occasion. He was a man of strong opinions and even stronger convictions. Most prized were his family and friends. He cherished his role as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin and uncle.

Born in 1931, Dale grew up in Webb City, Missouri and was immensely proud of his rural roots. As a child of the depression, he began working at the age of seven, soon becoming a golf caddie earning 25 cents to carry a golf bag nine holes - this would spark his lifelong passion for the game. By the age of 14, Dale spent summers hitchhiking across the Midwest to harvest wheat crops. His grit, determination and work ethic, self-built at a young age, became defining traits throughout his life.

In high school, Dale was an all-around athlete in football, golf and track. He built life-long friends during these formative years and was the last surviving member of the Webb City High School class of 1949.

Dale served in the Missouri National Guard and, after high school, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, which was a transformative experience that shaped his strong sense of discipline and duty.

In 1953, Dale married Ann Fite, and during their 15-year marriage they raised Bret, Dee Ann and Kim.

Dale went on to earn B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Math from the University of Oklahoma, as well as his M.S. in Physics from the University of Arizona.

He launched his career in 1956 at Hughes Aircraft Company, and joined Boeing in 1964, commencing a nearly 30-year career with the company.

His first assignment at Boeing was the Lunar Orbiter program, mapping the surface of the moon in anticipation of the first Apollo landing. As a Space Navigation Engineer, he played a lead role in capturing the iconic first photo of Earth from lunar orbit in 1966. This groundbreaking image, now displayed at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, is a testament to his innovative spirit and technical expertise.

In 1967, Dale took a new role at Boeing contracting for NASA's Apollo program. There he met Jenny Engelstone and they married in 1971, raising three children Amy, Kari and Luke in Seattle. After nearly four decades together, Jenny passed away in 2010.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Dale continued to build his career at Boeing. He served as Chief Engineer for the Morgantown West Virginia Personal Rapid Transit system and Program Manager for the B-1B and B-2 programs. He later joined the Northrop Corporation as Vice President and Program Manager of the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, before retiring in 1994. His distinguished aerospace career was later honored as an inductee into the Webb City High School Hall of Fame and University of Arizona College of Science Alumni of the Year.

With retirement, came a long-anticipated move back to Tucson where Dale relished in the desert heat and was known for playing 18 holes of golf in 100+ degree weather. He was also a skilled genealogist, tracing his family history and sharing stories with younger generations.

In 2013, he married Elaine Bailey, who remained by his side until his final days.

Dale is survived by his wife Elaine, his six children and two step-children, as well as their families. A private celebration of life will be held in 2025.