Birch, Dale Frederick

Dale Frederick Birch, 81, of 3608 Stone View Circle SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, formerly of Blairstown, died Jan. 27, 2012., at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, due to complications from an illness.  Memorial services: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Central Church of Christ, Cedar Rapids, with Norman Bales officiating. Arrangements by Phillips Funeral Home, Blairstown.

Survivors include his children, Sheri Hyke of Cedar Rapids, David Birch of Blairstown and Shelly Birch of Cedar Rapids; and grandchildren, Renee O'Neal of Washington, Iowa and Sharona Coyle of Anamosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother and his eldest son.

Dale was born July 25, 1930, in Blairstown, Iowa, to Ralph and Margaret Birch. He attended high school in Blairstown and was a former Homecoming King. Dale attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. Dale attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where he earned a master's degree in education. Dale attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he earned a master's degree in library science.

On June 1, 1952, Dale married Shirley Nelson of Van Horne, Iowa. Dale taught Language Arts and later became media specialist at Roosevelt Middle School in Cedar Rapids. Dale served 30 years in the Cedar Rapids School District.

Dale was a member of Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids. In his leisure, Dale enjoyed coin collecting, Iowa Hawkeye football, RC plane shows and collecting classic movies.

Dale will always be remembered as a kind and generous man who touched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know him.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

A special thanks goes to the loving staff at Mercy ICU, including Christine Harlander and the Rev. Dan Hoeger.

Published Jan. 30, 2012 in The Gazette