Dec. 2, 2010
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Norm Dahl, one of the first seven athletes inducted into the Western Washington University Athletics Hall of Fame inductees, passed away on Thurs., Nov. 25, at 90.
Dahl competed at then Western Washington College of Education for three years before serving as a Navy Chief Petty Officer in World War II. He returned to complete his bachelor of arts in education degree and was named the school's Athlete of the Year for 1946-47, participating in football, basketball and track & field.
Dahl was inducted into WWU's Hall of Fame in 1968. He also was named one of the school's All-Century Athletes in 1999.
A graduate of Edison High School in 1938, Dahl was recruited to Western by Sam Carver, known as the "Father of Viking Athletics." After graduating from Western in 1947, Dahl taught 28 years in the Burlington-Edison School District with nearly all of those years spent at Edison Grade School.
Norman Theodore DahI, 90, lifelong resident of Skagit County, passed away in his home surrounded by his family on November 25, 2010. He was born July 28, 1920 in Edison, Washington to Oscar & Marie (Denis) Dahl. He grew upon a dairy farm In Bow, Washington and married the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Loop. They were blessed with seven children. Norm graduated from Edison high school in 1938 where he excelled in the classroom and athletics. After high school he was recruited by Sam Carver to play football, basketball, and track and field at Western Washington College (WWU). Norm was an outstanding track & field and basketball competitor. In 1947 he was named Athlete of the Year after returning to Western following service as a Navy Chief Petty Officer in World War II. In 1968 he was one of seven honored in the first WWU Athletic Hall of Fame induction and was more recently named a WWU All-Century Athlete. Following completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in 1947, Norm began a 28 year career as a school teacher in the Burlington-Edison School District. Nearly all of those years were spent at Edison Grade School. He was a beloved and respected teacher who holds a special place in the hearts of the many students he taught and mentored. Norm was a role model who taught by example and had a very strong work ethic which was demonstrated through his own actions. He taught full time, apprenticed to become an electrician and volunteered at the Allen Fire Department for 32 years. After retiring from teaching, he owned and operated Dahl's Valley Electric. One of Norm's true passions was his yearly successful hunting trips to Eastern Washington. Many happy memories were created at "deer camp" and bird hunting, especially when his grandkids were there to share the experiences. He was a true outdoorsman and historian who loved traveling to historic sites and national parks. He always looked forward to playing cribbage with family and teaching the grandkids how to play. He would never let you forget to cut the cards prior to dealing. Norm loved to garden. He was so proud of his crops and would enthusiastically give a detailed garden tour to all who stopped by. Each year he would come up with new ideas and ways to expand his garden to share with his friends and family. He was especially proud of his tomato crop. Norm was incredibly knowledgeable about many subjects and particularly enjoyed sharing local history stories. He also possessed a sharp photographic memory. His eyes would light up whenever asked to recall past family events. If you ever had a problem that couldn't be solved, or a question that couldn't be answered, just ask Dad. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters: Doris Dahl, Dorothy Oswold, Ione (Howard) Taylor, and Juanita Dahl, two brothers: Vernon "Bud" (Charlotte) DahI, Ernie DahI and his aunt Katherine Brandstrom who was raised with the DahI family. Norm is survived by his loving wife Pat of 68 years; their seven children and spouses: Diane and Warren Bingham of Bow, Reg and Tina Dahl of West Richland, Rod and Susan Dahl of Mount Vernon, Debby Randall of Bellingham, Ron and Sue DahI of Ferndale, Darla and Mike Binder of Bow, Darcee and Harold Burdick of Bellingham and 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Norm is also survived by his sister Geneva Sasnett of Bow, brother Loren and wife Joan DahI of Bow, brother-in-law Tom Oswold of Burlington, and sister-in-law Janet DahI of Bow. Husband, Dad, Grandfather & Brother, we love you so very much. Thank you for being so very special, for your great teachings, your wonderful smile, and your warm heart. We will love you always and forever. Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Northwest, 819 S. 13th St, Mount Vernon, WA 98274; St. Charles Catholic Church, 935 Peterson Rd, Burlington, WA, 98233; and Allen Fire Department. A time of visitation is available on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 12 pm to 5 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, December 3, 2010, 11:00 am at St. Charles Catholic Church with Fr. Tom McMichael officiating. Reception to follow at the Allen Fire Hall. We wish to extend a special thank you to Hospice for their support and kindness. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.
