Dale Vincent Franz
June 7, 1946 - March 5, 2022

Dale Vincent Franz, age 75, passed away at his home in Port Orange, Fl., on March 5, 2022, due to cardiac arrest.

Dale was born in Port Clinton, Ohio, on June 7, 1946, to Leo and Dorothy (Burrell) Franz. His father was serving on active duty in the U. S. Army, and Dale’s early school years were in Yokohama, Japan. After his father retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel, the family settled in Portland, Ore. There, Dale attended Benson Polytech High School, graduating in 1964 with an appointment to
the Academy.

Dale graduated in the “We Are Great” Class of 1968 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. During his 23 years of active service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He participated in Operation Baby Lift and flew the t transport plane out of Saigon. While serving in Vietnam, he was exposed to agent orange, which severely affected his health in later years. Dale retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1992.

After leaving active duty, Dale worked with a personal growth organization. He met and married Christine Larocque in Hong Kong. They moved to Hudson, Quebec. While there, Dale cultivated his passion for sailing and was a member of the Hudson Yacht Club. Because of Christine’s work in film animation, they worked on film studio assignments in Paris and Shanghai for several months. Eventually they moved to Los Angeles, where Dale became a script supervisor/production manager. He soon moved on to work as the emergency services manager for the Red Cross Chapter in Ventura County, Calif. In 2019,
Christine and Dale moved to Port Orange, Fla. Dale delighted in watching the wading birds and the ducks in the pond. His health by then did not permit much more.

When his health allowed, Dale loved sailing and cycling. He avidly followed the thrilling victories and disappointing losses of his beloved Air Force football team, and rarely failed to comment upon the outcome of each game. He never missed a NASCAR race. He also studied homeopathic and Eastern medical practices, eventually becoming a Karuna Reiki Master.

Dale is survived by his wife of 29 years, Christine; his children from a prior marriage to Margaret Sanderlin: Jessica (Jamie Walters), Jason, Joshua (Jenna Huff); his stepson, James Wesley Cook (Cheryl); his grandchildren, Lauren, Kayleigh, Colton; and his step-grandson, Asher Vinson.

Dale never met a stranger, and his engaging presence touched all those he met. His family and friends will surely miss his warm smile, his often-wicked sense of humor and his generous heart. May he find everlasting peace in that restful place high up in the clouds reserved for the spirits of all those past airmen who, when young and vigorous, volunteered to serve their country.

Dale was interred with full military honors, including bagpipes, at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Ore., on April 1. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Trust. (Christine Franz, Dale’s wife, with classmate Mike Butler)

Dale was interred with full military honors, including bagpipes, at Willamette National Cemetery
Click HERE to view the video of the service held at Willamette National Cemetery.

Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits