Dale Alan Sorbello passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, after a sudden rupture of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation he had unknowingly had since birth. He was surrounded by his family and listening to his favorite hymn, ÒO Love of God, How Strong and True,Ó from ÒChariots of Fire.Ó Indeed, Dale has finished his race Ñ and he ran it well.

DaleÕs race began in Pullman, Wash., where he was born Jan. 16, 1950, to Joseph and Sharon Sorbello. The family soon moved to Southern California, where Dale grew up. After high school graduation, Dale became a chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army and flew helicopters in Vietnam. It was there that Dale trusted in Jesus as his Lord and savior and was dramatically transformed. After Vietnam, Dale earned his bachelorÕs degree in psychology at San Jose State University. When working on his masterÕs degree in counseling at SJSU, he met the love of his life, Kimberly Brady, and married her on ValentineÕs Day of 1975. They had always hoped to have many children; in 1976, they welcomed their first child, Sarah, followed by their son, Shiloh, and daughters Bethany and Gracie. Two new ÒkidsÓ joined the family when Shiloh married Samantha Nicholson and Bethany married Richie Armstrong, and Dale loved them as his own.

Despite excellent health, Dale was acutely aware of his mortality and frequently discussed his Òlaunch,Ó as he liked to call it. Just as he had hoped, he left this world suddenly and without suffering, until that time with health and strength unabated. His family considers the way he so quickly and painlessly passed on to be one of GodÕs great mercies to a great, great man. Undoubtedly, he was immediately ushered into the arms of the Savior he had so loved and served, hearing the words boldly declared: ÒWell done, good and faithful servant.Ó

A servant he was. Avoiding laud and attention, DaleÕs strength and time were spent in service to God and to those around him. Those who knew Dale describe him as humble, wise, gentle, kind, steady, patient, faithful, disciplined, loyal, hardworking, playful, encouraging, generous and full of forgiveness, integrity and genuine concern for others. Dale consistently Òdid the right thing,Ó no matter the cost. He boldly maintained staunch intolerance of injustice toward the vulnerable. A man of hospitality, his home was always open to others. Many young people considered Dale Òthe dad they never hadÓ and deemed his house their Òhome away from home.Ó Dale loved others unconditionally and showed this in very tangible ways.

After the early jobs he fondly remembered, like washing dishes in his Italian immigrant grandmotherÕs restaurant, Òbusting tiresÓ at Sears, working at PeteÕs Pie Shop, and organizing bell ringing for the Salvation Army, his career was devoted to improving the lives of the developmentally disabled. He found great satisfaction in making a tangible difference in the lives of the people he served. This work took him from Orange County, where he worked as a young consultant, to Valley Mountain Regional Center in Stockton, where he worked for eight years, and then to the Department of Developmental Services in Sacramento. Upon retirement, he continued to serve the DDS and the Association of Regional Center Agencies as Sorbello Consulting. Dale was held in highest esteem by his co-workers; his strong but gentle leadership caused many to consider him Òthe best boss I ever had.Ó

Dale was intensely dedicated to his family. He took sweet care of his wife of 35 1Ú2 years, Kimberly. From barefoot walks and local errands to arduous hikes and tours of Israel and Europe, the two were inseparable best friends. Just a week before the AVM rupture, Dale and Kim backpacked the Lost Coast; last summer, they hiked the John Muir Trail, ending atop Mount Whitney; two years ago, they hiked across England.

DaleÕs children thought he was perfect. Firm but gentle, he held high standards but never raised his voice. All of his children respected him immensely. A playful, hands-on dad, he took them on Òspecial days outÓ and attended every game and performance. Dale made each of his children feel like his favorite, despite their unique natures. His eldest daughter, Sarah, who has Down syndrome, considered Dad her favorite person on earth; Dale cherished and protected her.

Dale loved to play racquetball, grow fruit and giant pumpkins, treat his family to In-N-Out Burger, and make the best spaghetti sauce on earth; but one of his greatest delights was being Poppy to his young grandchildren. He would pick fruit from his trees with them, take them on errands, read to them, let them ÒhelpÓ him mow lawns and do yard work, play toys, chase and tickle them, and give them his famous Òwhiskers.Ó On his last morning at home, Dale laughed with delight at the round bellies of his daughters who were carrying his fourth and fifth grandchildren. Colson Dale was born five days later; he carries his PoppyÕs name and got to snuggle with his Poppy in the hospital.

Dale was devoted to his relationship with God; some of his childrenÕs earliest memories are of their father reading the Bible to them and of accompanying their dad on walks while he prayed fervently. He was actively involved in First Baptist Church of Davis, serving for several years on the elder board, and was a member of The Gideons International for 32 years.

Unafraid of death, Dale was well-prepared and talked about it often; despite all the blessings of his life, he longed for his real home Ñ where, as one of his favorite Bible verses states, there is Òno more death or mourning or crying or painÓ (Revelation 21:4). His hope and faith were vibrant and strong, which provides great comfort to those who survive him Ñ but so many will miss him deeply: his devoted wife, Kimberly; adoring children Sarah, Shiloh, Samantha, Richie, Bethany and Gracie; and doting grandchildren Luke, Ezekiel and Colson Dale Armstrong, and Siena Sorbello (with a little sister on the way). Preceded in death by his mother, Sheri Sorbello, Dale is survived by his father, Joseph Sorbello and his wife, Marguerite; brother Robert Sorbello; brother Samuel Charles Sorbello and his wife, Pauline; dear friends and in-laws Richard and Robin Pleau; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers and friends.

A memorial service took place 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, at First Baptist Church of Davis, 38141 Russell Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent Ñ per DaleÕs longstanding request Ñ to The Voice of the Martyrs (P.O. Box 443, Bartlesville, OK 74005) or to The GideonÕs International (P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214).

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