Dale Bittle - 1963         Dale - 1997

 Dale Bittle, Class of 1963 is "Kewpie of the Month, February 2001"
BIO

After graduating from Hickman High School in 1963 Dale entered the United States Navy and reported to the US Naval Training Center in San Diego, California.  Upon completing training Dale was stationed aboard the USS CABILDO LSD-16 where he served as a Radarman.  During his navy service Dale served three West-Pac tours in Vietnam and was discharged from the Navy in 1966.

Shortly after returning to Columbia Dale moved to Springfield, Missouri where he started school at Southwest Missouri State University.  In July of 1967 Dale married the former Maureen Talty of Springfield.  In September of 1968 Dale begin, what turned out to be, a 28+ year career of service with the Springfield Missouri Fire Department.  Along the way Dale managed to graduate from Drury College in Springfield, Missouri with a degree in Fire Science.  Dale retired from the Springfield Fire Department in January of 1997 as the Assistant Fire Chief.

Dale and Maureen were blessed with three children, two daughters, Michelle and Shannon, and a son Shawn who has followed his father as a career firefighter in St. Louis Missouri Fire Department.  Dale has five grand children who are the focal point in his life and proudly strives to be the nightmare all parents fear.  He wants fear in the heart of his children when the grand kids say lets go to Pa Pa’s house.

Since retiring from the Fire Service Dale has moved from the city and into the National Forrest South of Springfield where he is an avid woodworker.  Dale also serves as the President of the USS CABILDO LSD-16 Association and is active in Christian County politics.