Brien Dale Ward

 Brien Dale Ward  

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brien Dale Ward on April 7, 2024 at the age of 91.

Dale was born on July 29, 1932 in Box Elder County (Willard), Utah during the Great Depression. He was introduced early in life to the demands of agrarian work on the family farm where he developed a strong work ethic and steely resolve that would take him beyond his roots to a distinguished military career. Despite the challenging circumstances of his upbringing, his connection to his Utah roots, his father, mother, siblings and wider family remained strong. He was appointed to West Point and graduated in 1955. Dale was a gifted athlete and physical specimen. While at West Point, he competed in collegiate athletics as a back-up quarterback on the Black Knights football team then coached by the iconic Vince Lombardi. Dale was also a first class wrestler, winning conference titles at the NCAA level in his weight class. One of our fondest memories is hearing him recount in his usual matter-of-fact modesty wrestling victories over various well-known persons, such as former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. Upon graduation from West Point, Dale entered the U.S. Air Force and became a pilot. In 1955, Dale married Edris Larsen who predeceased him in 1977. Dale and Edris had four children: Katherine (1956), Brien Duane (1957), Steven Eric (1959) and Jeffrey Dale (1961).

Possessed of a strong intellect, curious mind and ambition, Dale earned two master’s degrees one in mathematics and one in aeronautical engineering and a PhD in control systems engineering. Following completion of his PhD, he volunteered for assignment in the Vietnam War as a tactical fighter pilot. During this assignment Dale flew more than 180 night-only combat missions as an air commando pilot. His character was revealed during this period of his life. Cited for uncommon bravery, selfless devotion to his colleagues, disregard for his own life and superior piloting skills, Dale was awarded the Air Force’s third highest medal, the Silver Star (with two oak leaf clusters), the Distinguished Flying Cross (with oak leaf cluster) and the Air Medal (nine oak leaf clusters). Like most things in his life, his commitment to the Air Force was strong as he rose up the ranks graduating from the National War College, assuming many senior positions and attaining the rank of Major General (two stars). He retired from the Air Force in 1985 a highly decorated senior officer with the status of general command pilot. In addition to his combat medals, he was awarded the senior missile badge, the Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster) during his career. In 1986, Dale married Bonnie Walsh and they moved to Bellevue, Washington where Dale began a short career with Boeing.

In retirement, Dale developed a strong focus on new interests, such as the world of ideas, history, cultures, peoples and current events. He was known to spend many long and late hours in his ever-expanding library discovering and absorbing what were for him new areas of knowledge. Anyone spending time around Dale would quickly become acquainted with Dale’s latest readings and thoughts on the widest range of subject matters. Conversations with Dale were never without passion when they involved a subject on which he had devoted much consideration. More than one of his interlocutors left a conversation with Dale struck by his unique take on a subject, and never did they leave the conversation unimpressed with his passion.

During his retirement years, Dale also returned to his love of the land. At his home in Bellevue, he devoted countless hours to landscaping and gardening, ever fascinated with nature’s simple beauty — especially unique flowers, such as dahlias and the towering evergreen trees of the Northwest. The Bellevue home became a special haven for visits from Kath’s children where stories were told of alligators in the stream behind the house, proper instruction occurred on the shooting of a pellet gun, outdoor sleepouts took place in the backyard and seemingly endless drilling happened on proper eating techniques and dressing with dignity. Dale loved the outdoors, and he took every occasion to introduce his grandchildren to hiking, mountains and adventure — passions reminiscent of his own childhood.

Dale’s life was not without its major challenges. He endured many hardships with his family growing up, including the death of his beloved brother, Duane. He became a widower at age 43 and as a single parent assumed full responsibility for the upbringing of his four children. He survived a bout with colon cancer in his 80s and was diagnosed with dementia in 2020. He will be fondly remembered for his devotion to the care of his fourth son Jeffery who was born with significant physical and neurological limitations and for the support of his son Steve who has endured many personal challenges and for whom Dale was a towering figure of inspiration and unconditional love. Dale will also be remembered as essentially a quiet, reserved man whose true nature was discoverable in the unmistakable actions and expressions of caring and love that mostly took place out of the view of others. He will be remembered as a complex personality who struggled to find life’s elusive equilibrium of joy and peace. Those of us who loved Dale and whom he leaves behind ardently hope that he has found this state of being.

Dale was preceded in death by his first wife, Edris, his son Jeffrey Dale, parents, Donas Ray Ward, Verlie Elvira Ward (née Bott), brothers Duane LaMar Ward and Robert Ray Ward and Ray’s wife, JoAnn (née Maurita Miles).

Dale is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his three children Brien Duane (wife Julianne), Katherine Snow (husband Stuart Snow) and Steven Eric, his brothers James Noel (wife Dalene), Lloyd Reed (wife Sandy) and sister Julie Ann Facer (husband Steve). Dale had ten grandchildren: Paul Evans Snow (wife Sarah), Kevin Ward Snow, Bryce Stuart Snow (wife Leigh), Lauren Edris Snow and Niels Jeffrey Snow (wife Megan), Brien Karl Ward, Ian Spencer Ward (wife Johanna), Graham Steven Ward (wife Bethany), Nelson Augustus Ward (wife Rainee) and Spencer Lawrence Sodokoff.

 Dale had twelve great grandchildren: Ethan Michael Snow, Sadie Rose Snow, Rebecca Katherine Snow, Bridget Evans Snow, Zuri Snow, Coen Snow, Lenix Snow, Philippa Edris Ward, Louisa Marguerite Ward, Ùna Mae Ward, Edith Viola Ward and Eilean Emilia Ward.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, UT with a viewing prior from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.  Interment at Willard Cemetery, Willard Precinct Cemetery, 550 North Main Street, where Military Honors will be performed by HAFB Honor Guard.

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