Dr. Dale P. Pattison

Pattison, Dr. Dale P.
of Kalamazoo Dr. Dale P. Pattison passed away peacefully at home on April 16, 2012 following a lengthy illness. Dale was born September 6, 1928 in Kalamazoo to James and Gertrude Buckhout Pattison. He was raised on the small family farm learning the meaning of hard work at an early age. When asked about his yearning for higher education he would say plowing a field with a horse gives one time to think about other ways to use what God gave you. When Dale was 15 he entered a wood judging contest at the state 4-H fair and won 500 pine seedlings which he planted on his grandfather's land. He built his dream home among these pine trees 35 years later. Dale graduated from State High School in 1946 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served 3 years in Subic Bay Philippines. After discharge he returned to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University earning a B.A. magna cum laude in history and geography. Dale then began teaching history at Grosse Pointe High School and while there he received a John Hay Whitney Fellowship at Yale University as one of the nation's distinguished teachers. Dr. Pattison joined the faculty of the Western Michigan University history department in 1963 while also attending the University of Chicago to earn a M.A. and later a Ph.D. in history. At WMU he was a member of the honors faculty, faculty senate, and professional organizations. He was co-director of the WMU-Oxford University seminar where he led groups of students to study at Oxford University in England. Dr. Pattison inspired legions of his students and colleagues as a lecturer and mentor. While an accomplished scholar in British Intellectual and Latin American history, he received his greatest satisfaction introducing undergraduate students to the arts and ideas of culture. Although he retired from WMU in 1995, many of his students remain in contact with Dr. Pattison to this day. In 1971 Dale was elected to the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education. This was a turbulent time in the public schools in Kalamazoo but Dale never backed down from a fight for justice. His curious nature and love of history provided Dale the opportunity to travel to numerous countries throughout the world. He was never a tourist but rather a researcher and scholar exploring the best the world had to offer. Dale was preceded in death by his daughter Lori Beth, his parents James and Gertrude, brothers James and Thomas, and recently by his loyal companions Mick and Mack. He is survived by his loving wife Kelley, daughter Linda Pattison and son-in-law Steve Allen of Cary, NC. He also leaves loving in-laws Mary Lou Pattison of Kalamazoo, William and Agnes Hempsall of Clio, MI, Kevin and Beth Hempsall of Snellville, GA, Kathleen and David Williamson of Clio, MI, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place at Langeland's Family Funeral Home Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo on Wednesday April 18 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM and on Thursday April 19 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM. Funeral services will take place at the funeral home on Friday April 20 at 2:00 PM, Deacon James Nelson officiating. Interment will take place at Mt. Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the WMU Foundation, 1903 W. Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403, for the Dr. Dale P. Pattison Memorial Scholarship Fund which will serve undergraduate history students. Dale will forever be remembered as a scholar and historian.