Dale E. Fowler

Dale Eugene Fowler

June 9, 1940 – October 16, 2021

CORVALLIS – Dale was a man of deep personal faith; always knowing who was guiding his life, and now taking him home to glory.

He was our family hero, lovingly known as super dad, super grandpa and super great-grandpa.  Above all, he was the most wonderful husband to wife Judy that any woman could ever have.

Dale was born in Fort Benton, MT, the first son of Euell and Glenda Fowler, following two older sisters, DeLores and Dorthy.  Thirteen years later, the family was blessed with brother Donald, whom Dale adored.

They farmed on the prairie and spent the off-season months in Fort Benton.  There, Dale began his love of fishing on the Missouri River bridge in town.  He would meet an elderly gentleman each day.  After they “caught their limit”, he would walk to the nearby nursing home and sing hymns and favorite songs to the residents.  They loved this little boy with such a beautiful voice and big heart.

Prairie hardships and continuous wind and harsh weather elements drove the Fowler family to settle in Florence when Dale was six years old.  He spent his young years in Carlton Creek, roaming the mountains, fishing, hunting and camping in the Westfork with family, being big brother to young Donald and nephew, Roger Mikesell.  Dale enjoyed acting in school plays, playing his guitar in a band while singing and most significantly, winning a scholarship to the University of Montana.

Upon high school graduation in 1958, Dale joined the U.S. Marine Corps.  He went to boot camp in Camp Pendelton, CA, where he became his Platoon Leader; and was chosen to take a commission as a general’s aide in Washington, D.C.

After returning home from the service, he decided to take advantage of his basketball scholarship to further his education.  Dale was so proud of his time playing on the Griz basketball team. 

When college ended, Dale married Risa Atwood; and they moved to Columbia Falls, MT.  There they became parents of two beautiful children, Dean and Damian.  He worked at Renfro’s cabinet shop and built his first home when he was 24 years old.

Dale learned of a cabinet shop for sale on Daly Avenue in Hamilton and ventured out at 5:30 am on a freezing January morning.  An icy curve on the eastside of Flathead Lake changed Dale’s physical health forever; plunging him 464 feet into the frigid water.  He was rescued by boat, miraculously surviving many injuries, including a severely broken spine.  Dale always kept God Close in his heart and knew He was with him, especially on that day.

Fowlers Cabint and Woodworking Shop on Daly Avenue was a great success, but he decided to purchase the A & W restaurant on Highway 93 where Calamity Janes now stands.  This provided enjoyment, car hop and waitressing jobs for the high school girls, car shows and fun memories for the community.

During the A & W years the state wanted to build a new Highway 93 on the west side to bypass the city of Hamilton.  This would have been the devastation of all the businesses in town so Dale quickly formed the Highway 93 Association with fellow business owners.  Together they went to meetings at the State Capitol in Helena to keep Highway 93 continuing through Hamilton.  Their efforts were successful, providing the prosperity we know today.

During that time came a marriage to Paula Duncan, enabling Dale to very proudly adopt her two beautiful daughter, Erin and Kelley.  Later a precious son, Robert, came along.  They would become as close as father and son could be; as well as a very special, loving relationship with nephew, Chad Fowler.

Dale was retired in his beloved Westfork after selling the A & W.  He started an excavating and building business.  He always had a shop and built, invented, and repaired whatever he could get his hands on.  There wasn’t anything he wasn’t able to do.  So many depended on his expertise and talents, taking after his dad, Euell, with calls even recently from kids and grandkids on how to do something. 

With the decision to move back to the valley, now being a single parent raising a young son, Dale took a position in Hamilton as the City Building Official.

In 1999, the Angler’s Lodge and Cabins were for sale.  Being the entrepreneur that he was, Dale purchased the cabins and also acquired the manager along with them.  The rest was history, it was Dale and Judy from then on .

Owning Angler’s Lodge for 15 years was unforgettable.  We were hosts for people from all over the country and the world.  Many weddings, including our own, were held there; as well as reunions and parties for many occasions.  Dale retired form the city and devoted full time to working at the cabins.

In 2014 we sold the cabins at Angler’s lodge and this time we retired for good.  The last 7 years were filled with motorhome trips, fishing on the pontoon boat and going to yard and estate sales with good buddy, Bill Smith.

The most important treasure in Dale’s life was his family; all of whom he loved more than words can describe.  He is survived by his wife, Judy; brother, Donald and wife Tammy; precious and devoted daughter, Damian, who spent many hours lovingly taking care of her dad, and Damian’s husband, David Ward, who’s incredible singing made Dale melt everytime; son, Dean; daughter, Erin and husband Chris; daughter, Kelley; son Robert and wife Shyla, who recently presented Dale with a brand new grandson, Rylan; nephew, Chad and wife Amanda; grandson, Callen; granddaughters, Jaimie, Kelsey, Aspyn, Neela and Cora; and great-grandchildren, Jaedyn and Boston.  Dale was also close to cousin, Dean Robertson, who was more like a brother to him.  They always had a great time together hunting and snowmobiling in his beloved Westfork.

Dale also loved Judy’s mom, who lived at Angler’s Lodge until she passed;  son, Kim and wife Heidi; son, Ty and wife Kelly; and daughter, Holly and husband Jay; with Holly spending many nights with Dale so her mom could get some sleep, and loving care from granddaughter, Samantha.  Together Dale and Judy cherished 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

On Saturday, December 4th, 2021 at 2:00 pm there will be a Celebration of Dale’s life at the First Christian Church on Fairgrounds Rd. in Hamilton.  Our family would be honored and blessed to welcome everyone there to help us share a time in remembrance on this great man.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.     

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