Dale Edwin Bates

On January 28, 2025, Dale Edwin Bates left us here on earth to join his beloved wife, Marlene, who complained to him that he hadn’t been doing the laundry correctly in her absence. 

Dale was born on April 12, 1935, to Clarence Bates and Belle Bates Rankin, the youngest of seven in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Even though he grew up during the Great Depression, and resources were tight, he told anyone that he’d meet that he’d had a very happy childhood, and small-town Coraopolis gave him a relaxed and even-keeled outlook on life. 

After high school and a short stint in the steel mills in Pittsburgh, he landed a job in the reservations and sales department at United Airlines, where he would spend his entire career. He turned out to be very good at his job, for one simple reason: He loved talking to people on the phone. 

On February 15, 1958, he married Marlene Angeletti, the love of his life, and they had a beautiful partnership of more than 62 years. Marlene passed away in August of 2020. 

Dale is survived by his son, Darryl, and his daughter, Cynthia, their spouses Colleen and John, his grandchildren Erin, Emily, Luke, and Alexis, as well as Erin’s spouse, Rikki, Luke’s spouse, Clara, and Alexis’s spouse, Adam. Dale’s newest additions were his great grandsons River, Arlen, and Damien. Dale is also survived by his older brother Don and many nieces and nephews. 

Dale’s American roots go back to the Pilgrims. Coming from a long line of long-lived ancestors worked out well for him, because he was determined to be in the black with Social Security. Since he retired at 62 and lived until nearly 90, we think he did okay. He truly enjoyed a good poker game and took great pride in beating younger players who thought he was “just some old man”. 

A memorial service will be held for Dale on April 5, 2025, at 11:30 AM at the Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club, 23155 E. Heritage Pkwy., Aurora, CO 80016. 

Dale was a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and donations can be made on his behalf at any of the Steelers’ charities at: Pittsburgh Steelers Charities

For a man who so enjoyed talking on the phone, it’s especially bittersweet that his voice had been silenced. We’re all going to miss him.