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Dr. Dale Keith Lumpa, 54, Thornton, Colo.
Obituaries · November 12, 2015



Dr. Dale Keith Lumpa passed away on Nov. 7, 2015, at age 54 near his home in Thornton, Colo., following a battle with cancer.

A tribute to Dale’s life will be held Saturday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. at Henderson Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.

Following the tribute to his life everyone is invited to share a meal of Dale’s favorite foods with the family. Dale always enjoyed having a good time and no one was a stranger. He would be honored by your presence and to know his life is being celebrated on this day.

Dale was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on Aug. 11, 1961, to Janet (Mickelson) and Bill Lumpa. He married Kay Frances Macintosh on Sept. 8, 1990, in West Branch. They have two daughters, Mariah, 20, and Jillian, 16. After graduating from West Branch High School, Dale played baseball at Kirkwood Community College and completed his undergraduate degree in physical education at the University of Iowa. He went on to achieve his MEd and EdD in administration at the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1996.

Dale had a long and successful career in education that started as a PE/health/social studies teacher in Renick, Mo. He quickly advanced to a principal position and continued to work in administration at Simonsen Junior High and Lawson Elementary School in Jefferson City, Mo. With his family, he moved to Denver, Colo., and began his career for Englewood Schools. He was principal of Charles Hay Elementary School. After eight years in this position, Dale decided to go back to his first great love, physical education. He made the change from administrator to P.E. teacher at Charles Hay and on to become the District Wellness Coordinator. In this position he was able to continue his passion for integrating fitness and wellness into the lives of students, teachers and parents. He has worked as an adjunct professor teaching classes and workshops at the University of Denver, Indiana State University and the University of Phoenix. Dale enthusiastically presented to school districts across the country on positive student discipline and the importance of movement in the classroom. He also co-wrote three education books with friend and mentor Todd Whitaker. Dale retired in 2014 after 30 years in education.

Being honored as the State of Colorado Physical Education Teacher of the Year and being a finalist for Colorado Principal of the Year is a testament to how important the fields of fitness and education were to Dale.

Many years of cherished time were spent with his wife, Kay and daughters Mariah and Jill. They spent their summers and school vacation days traveling and exploring new places to visit all over the United States. His love for the West Branch Bears, the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Broncos and NASCAR Racing and many high school baseball and football games has been a constant throughout Dale’s life.

Dale is survived by wife Kay; daughters Mariah and Jill; faithful dog Willie; mother Janet Lumpa of West Branch; brothers Bob (Debbie) Lumpa of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and Dean (Carol) Lumpa of Iowa City; sister Kathie (David) McIlrath of West Branch; nieces and nephews Katie, Brian and Jesse Lumpa and Craig and Mark Lumpa and McKenzie and Matt McIlrath.

Aunts, uncles, cousins and too many friends to mention were very important to Dale and he valued those friendships throughout his life. Dale’s contagious energy and sense of humor will be missed dearly by his family, friends, fellow educators, students and anyone who ever crossed Dale’s path.

He is preceded in death by father Bill Lumpa, and grandparents John and Hilda Lumpa and Melvin and Hazel Mickelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Dale’s name to lung cancer research, the West Branch High School Strength & Conditioning Program or to the donor’s choice of charity.