Wesley "Bing" Eugene Dahl
February 4, 1923 — March 21, 2016
Wesley Eugene DAHL
"Bing" Dahl
1923~2016
Wesley E. "Bing" Dahl was born February 4, 1923 in Berthold, North Dakota and died on March 21, 2016 of complications related to aging after a long life of remarkably good health. He spent his boyhood in Minot, North Dakota until his family moved to Spokane, Washington when he was 14. There he attended North Central High School where he was active in music, student government and athletics.
Bing was an outstanding athlete. While at North Central, he was named to the Spokane city-wide all-star basketball first-team for four consecutive seasons and for multiple years as well in baseball and football. Offered a professional baseball contract by the Spokane Indians in his senior year of high school, he declined in order to attend college and compete at that level.
At the University of Washington, he played basketball and baseball for the Huskies for two years, ultimately playing on the varsity basketball team that won the 1943 Pac-8 championship when he was a sophomore. He did not participate in the national post-season tournament that year, instead reporting for active military duty.
He entered the Army as a Private, serving in the infantry in Europe, and was awarded three bronze stars, He was discharged as a First Lieutenant after 37 months of service as the war ended. After the war, he wanted to be closer to home in Spokane, so he transferred to Washington State College where he met his future wife, Dolores Ann "Lorry" Sauer. He played varsity basketball and baseball for two years while completing his degree in Education. After graduation, he married Lorry and began a 37-year career as a teacher, counselor and coach at Colville, Kent Meridian and Evergreen high schools.
In 1961-62, he returned to WSU to earn a Master’s Degree in Counseling. In 1968 his Evergreen basketball team broke the state tournament scoring record, taking third overall after losing only one very close game in the semifinals. He retired in 1987 to spend more time with his family, his church, traveling, writing poetry and to enjoy a range of other active interests like photography, golf, trailering and making jewelry for his family and friends. In 2014, at 92, he was named Man of the Year at the 62nd Annual Basketball Old-Timers Banquet for his career accomplishments as a coach and player in the state of Washington.
Of his family and faith he wrote, "I am blessed with a wonderful wife and family—loving, capable and close to one another. My faith is in Christ and I am grateful for good health and for all the years given to me as a survivor of World War II." Bing and Lorry joined John Knox United Presbyterian Church in 1958. As their mutual spirituality and commitment to Christian works intensified, he served as an usher, a deacon, a Sunday school teacher and for three active terms as an elder.
Bing was preceded in death by his father, Carl Ludvig Dahl, his mother, Alice Hazel Brown Dahl, his three brothers: Alvie (Helen), Harley (Dorothy) and Paul, and his brother-in-law Gary Sauer. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dolores Ann "Lorry" Dahl; his children: Eric Dahl (Margaret), Ellie Dahl, LeAnn Eernisse (Doug), Chris Dahl (Hope Chatfield); seven grandchildren: Gavin Dahl (Katie), Arie Eernisse (NaYoung), Olivia Sheridan (Jonathon), Emilie Eernisse, Blake Perret, Maddie Dahl, and Miranda Dahl; two great grandchildren: Arie Chase Eernisse, Jr. and Elliot Sheridan; his brother-in-law, Leonard Sauer; 13 nieces and nephews; and their children.
A service to celebrate Bing's life will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, March 30th at John Knox Church, 109 SW Normandy Road, Seattle, Washington 98166. To honor Bing, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice. He supported the Mercy Ships program that provides medical care to African nations. If you would like to support this charity, send a check made out to John Knox Presbyterian Church at the address above and marked "Bing Dahl – Mercy Ships" in the memo line.
In his personal papers Bing left the following message, written for his wife but also for family and friends. It was drafted at Kalaloch Beach in September, 2002.
Funeral Service Memorial
Remember our relationship only promoted good times, so be happy that we had such a wonderful life together. I was so blessed in your presence and all the good fortune and good health during my life. Many people inspired, encouraged and influenced my enriched life experience. Thank God for my wife, family, and many friends. I believe in Christ's sacrifice for everlasting life and look forward without fear of being reunited with Him, those who have gone on, and those who are to follow.
In considered awareness and grateful satisfaction, I am continuously cognizant of the happiness and enrichment provided in family relationships and their success in service, stature and giftedness. Thank God for each child and grandchild and for His plan for each of them, like the plan he had for me. What greater gift could be given me than the goodness, the gifts and the loving devotion Lorry contributed abundantly during our blessed years of marriage. She is the greatest of all gifts given to me.
-Bing
Please share memories of Bing on our online guestbook for his family.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the care of Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle