Allen Dahle
Allen A. Dahle, 87, a longtime Valhalla resident, passed away peacefully on May 20 at Calvary Hospital from advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Dahle was born in New York City on Apr. 7, 1933, to Erling and Jenny (nee Johansen) Dahle, immigrants from Norway. Raised by a single mother, he learned the value of self-reliance, perseverance, humility and faith at an early age and built his life on those foundations.
He was a graduate of Scarsdale High School, class of 1950, and an alumnus of New York University, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and earned a degree in economics through the Army ROTC program. Dahle proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserves for over 30 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He started his own insurance adjusting and engineering firm, Allen Dahle & Co., in 1962, and was an active member of the New York Association of Independent Adjusters, serving as president during the 1990 term.
In 1952, he met his love, Marilyn Mertz, on a blind date. They married in 1954, moved to Valhalla and raised a family. To his children, he was everything a dad should be: a kid at heart, gleefully instigating a game of “gotcha last,” a strict disciplinarian when curfews were broken and their biggest fan, faithfully attending each and every athletic event and dance recital. Mostly, he never missed a chance to say “I love you.”
Proud “Poppie” to grandson and Navy lieutenant Logan and great-grandchildren Hali and Liam, he delighted in the patriotic bond that he and Logan shared for their country. Dahle was an extraordinary caregiver to his wife during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, tirelessly caring for her at home while searching for a cure and never giving up hope.
A member of Westchester Country Club for over 35 years, his favorite pastimes were golfing and socializing. Dahle’s talents and traits were many and varied, from builder, gardener and chef, to entrepreneur, visionary and humorist. He is best remembered for his quick wit, generosity of spirit and unwavering compassion toward others. The consummate “glass-half-full” guy, everything to him was “no problem!” He was a tremendous source of strength, hope and joy to those around him, and he embodied all that is good in the human spirit. His laughter and presence in this world will be dearly missed.
Dahle was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn; mother Jenny (Johansen) Dahle; brother-in-law Calvin Manning; and niece Linda Feinberg. He is survived by his son, Alan (Chip) Dahle (Bonnie), of Thornwood; daughter Diane “DeeDee” Dahle of Valhalla; grandson Logan Dahle (Chelsea) of Jacksonville, Fla.; great-grandchildren Hali and Liam; brother Stanley Dahle (Veronica) of Clinton Conn.; sisters-in-law Patricia Manning and Sherry Dahle; nieces and nephews Carol Manning (Patrick), Michael Dahle (Bridget), Brad Dahle and Jennifer Scott (Jonathan); and a large extended family in Norway.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dahle’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kan. 66675 or the Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, Fla. 33131.
