Obituary of Romann Dale Earl

October 8, 1938 - Lethbridge, Alberta

September 29, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Romann Dale Earl, age 85, passed away from natural causes on Sunday, September 29, 2024, in Calgary, AB. He was born on October 8, 1938, in Lethbridge, AB, the eldest of four children of F. Dale Earl and Mary Anne Bario. As the oldest sibling, he was a caring brother to Anthony “Tony”, Gabrielle “Gaye", and Yvonne “Eve”.

Growing up in Southern Alberta, Dale “Manny” had a passion for sports, and excelled in baseball, hockey, and basketball. He has a special bond with his dog, Prince, and often told stories of how Prince protected him, and kept him out of trouble.

Dale graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Oregon. He was an example to his family of being a lifelong learner and could be found sitting peacefully outside, reading either a physics book or the Bible.

Dale met Alice Tingey on a blind date in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 25, 1962, the same day he graduated from Brigham Young University. The very next day, they embarked on a new life together in Canada. Dale was a very supportive partner to Alice, especially with her small business endeavours. He was always ready to help, even stepping into the kitchen during busy summer days to wash all the dishes from bottling fruit.

Dale spent much of his career working in the oil and gas industry, but one of his favourite roles was as a math and physics professor at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). He was generous with his time, tutoring both his students and later his children. Homework nights at the kitchen table were a regular occurrence, with even the family cat, Shadow, joining in.

Throughout his life, he continued to love sports, especially baseball. He coached his children’s baseball teams and served in the community as President of the Foothills Little League. His kids loved it when he played catch with them in the back lane. Dale attended his games and activities and continued with his grandchildren, watching as they excelled in different athletics. He enjoyed listening to a ball game on the radio or watching hockey and basketball on TV.

Dale loved the peace and serenity of being in the outdoors. He served as a Scout Leader and was well-known among his scouts for taking them on winter campouts. His children have fond memories of summers (and winters) spent camping in Bragg Creek enjoying the sounds of a crackling fire and the river in the distance. These trips were always an adventure—whether it was navigating canoes, encountering bears, or the tent collapsing under snow.

Dale was a wonderful father and a loving grandfather. His steady and peaceful nature brought a calm to our home. His four children, Marianne, Phil, Dan, and Annette, learned from him the value of hard work, resourcefulness, and living with high standards. He taught his kids how to ride motorcycles and change the oil in the car, how to fall asleep, how to build a campfire, and how to go “bumpering”. He loved to build model airplanes and work on puzzles. Dale loved his family. Though he could appear serious and independent, those who knew him well saw his fun and adventurous side.

Dale had a strong and unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ. One cherished memory is of him sharing his love for the Savior with his grandchildren, instilling in them his deep faith. His family finds comfort in the belief that he has returned to his Creator and has been lovingly welcomed home by his parents.

Dale is survived by his beloved wife, Alice Tingey, who tenderly cared for him, and his four children, Marianne (Garret) Swihart, Philip (Sheila) Earl, Daniel (Felicia) Earl, and Annette (Jaremie) Woodruff. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren, Chandra, Ty, Kaela, Brennan, Devon, Bradley, Danielle, Parker, Kate, Jared, and Ella, and one great-granddaughter, Leslie. Dale will be dearly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

No Funeral Services will be held.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Dale’s family here.

In living memory of Dale Earl, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.