Dale was born in Chicago (the son of Wallace and Patricia [Stanner] Cook) and raised in Brookfield, Illinois. He graduated in 1977 from Riverside-Brookfield High School. While there he participated in football, baseball, wrestling and making lifelong friends. He was also active in Boy Scouts at this time and attained Eagle Scout rank. Some of his fondest memories are when he worked in the commissary at Camp Mach.
He began his career as an electrical engineer in Aurora, Illinois and eventually ended up in Chicago, putting in over 25 years total in the industry. Consequently, many buildings in Chicago and its suburbs have his signature on their electrical/lighting systems. After many years of hard work he was finally awarded a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering.
His hobbies included cooking, golfing, playing guitar and figuring out new ways to be the best husband, father, brother and friend. The most rewarding hobby for Dale was woodworking/carpentry, and his finest achievement was designing and building our cottage in Missouri. Oh how he loved a challenge.
He was always intrigued with the heavenly skies -- be it flying with friends in their private plane, going up in a hot air balloon or howling at the moon. And if there was a prize for watching Apollo 13 the most times, he would win hands down.
Dale was a wonderful man and the legacy he leaves behind will last forever:
Husband to Cherryl (Rorie)
Father to John and Patti
Stepfather to Chad Foor
Grandfather to Julia
Father in law to Angie and Erin
Brother to Ed, Tim, Bobby and Judy
Brother in law to Sandi, Debbie, Linda, George Paps, Bob and Jim Rorie
Uncle to Ryan, Sammy, Erik, Corey, Sarah (Cook) and Rob, Kyle and Sam (Rorie)
Son of Wally and Pat, Stepson to Sharon
First husband to Susan Shotola
Friend to ALL
Written by his wife, Cherryl
