Dale D. Lee, 84, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2026, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 2, 1941, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to the late W. Dale Lee and Evelyn H. (Bellefeuille) Lee. He was a proud member of the White Earth Nation, the largest Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota, and the American Culinary Federation.
Dale honorably served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1963 during the Quemoy-Matsu and Cuban conflicts. In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with a Bronze Star and the National Defense Service Medal.
Following his military service, Dale spent 15 years as a self-employed saltwater diver in Puget Sound, harvesting geoducks and sea urchins. He later worked in hotel management throughout Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, building a career defined by hard work and adaptability.
It was in the kitchen, however, that Dale found his true calling. He pursued his passion for the culinary arts, earning degrees from Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he graduated on the Dean’s List. For more than 20 years, he served as Executive Banquet Chef at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, retiring at age 74. He was known for his ability to manage large events with creativity and care, bringing people together through his work.
In 2006, Dale married Susan Carter, and together they blended a large family. They shared a love of travel, visiting destinations both near and far, including France, Italy, Egypt, London, and Africa. Dale enjoyed collecting unique cultural souvenirs from his travels, each one a lasting reminder of the experiences they shared.
Dale had a deep appreciation for the outdoors—the evergreens, mountains, and the sea that shaped much of his life. He especially valued time spent hiking with his identical twin brother, Dean, and sharing stories with family and friends. He will also be remembered for his quick wit and easy humor, which brought warmth and laughter to those around him.
He is survived by his children: Deborah Crawford, Denise Lee, Kristine Kasper, John (Jeanne) Lee, Wendy (Steve) Jantz, Dale T. (Cynthia) Lee, Terra Lee, and Jennifer Lee; along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Judy Anderson and David Lee; a niece and many nephews; and his beloved dog, Raven. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his identical twin brother Dean, and his younger brother Robert.
The family extends their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Kenosha Place Senior Living for their compassionate care.
In accordance with his wishes, a private service will be held in Vancouver, Washington—what he fondly called “God’s Country.”
“Still waters run deep—dive deeper.” ~ Dale D. Lee
