Dale’s Obituary
Dale Robert Jeppesen
January 8 1971 – September 20 2019
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Dale in Valleyview, Alberta.
He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Gunnar and Jenni Jeppesen, moving to Alberta a few months later, where he was raised with his sister’s, Mary and Starlene.
Dale grew up in the peace country, spending his formative years in Grande Prairie. After graduating high school, he went on to work with St. JOHN’S Ambulance. His diversity in jobs included: Taxi driver, delivery driver, DeeJay, oilfield medic, and teaching medical courses at Life Support. His love of medicine led him to his passion, to become an EMT. Valley view became Dale`s home, where he would practice his career.
He met Melissa in 1999 and there story is the original “You`ve got Mail.” He proposed in 2000 while white water rafting. “My ring was too big so he tied it to his shorts, then proceeded to fall out of the raft and into the river. The only reason he survived was because I grabbed him because he still had my ring.” They were married in 2001.
He enjoyed NASCAR and they attended their first race at the Las Vegas Speedway. His face ended up partially sunburnt from flying tire debris. The joke was “where did he get all the sun.” At one race he me Richard Petty.
They had their twin daughters Alexandra and Zoe in 2005, and they were the light of his life. He enjoyed playing LEGO and joked he should buy shares in Barbie.
In 2007 he enrolled in the paramedic program at NAIT. This was the beginning of his struggles with PTSD. It was also the year we bought our first camping unit. He loved his days off spending time camping and fishing and having fires with his family.
He taught the girls to skate and even built a backyard rink. He had outdoor fires and marshmallows and hot dogs while skating in our yard. Every summer we would go camping in Jasper.
2009 Melissa”s grandmother became ill, Dale was a great support for her family with his medical knowledge.
In 2011 the death of his mother devastated him. It was at this time his mental health deteriorated further. He began struggling to go to work and to attend family functions. The family attended a good friend’s wedding in Ottawa the same year and he took the time to research all things to do in Ottawa. He really enjoyed the trip.
In 2013 we went to Disneyland and he was stoked to go on his favourite ride Indiana Jones, and excited to meet Beetlejuice. He also began planning our Yellowstone trip the following summer. In the summer of 2014 we began building our dream home.
On November 2015 we had family photos taken. On this day he lost his battle to PTSD. From 2015 to 2019 he tried gallantly to overcome the daily challenges of PTSD and his daughters gave him hope to fight. He wanted to be strong for them. He was proud of their academic, sports, and musical talents. Dale purchased Alex her own violin and Zoë a Saxaphone. He loved playing Santa, the Toothfairy, the Easter Bunny, and the Leprachaun.
In his spare time Dale enjoyed playing drums, reading, discussing politics, listening to music, and tinkering with electronics. He was a strong advocate for the homeless. Dale was meticulous in his planning, in fact some would say anal. One such occasion it was his dream to open a youth club, that would allow a safe place for teens to hang out and have fun without alcohol and drugs. He also researched self-sufficient energy, focusing on converting his home to being off the grid.
During his life he enjoyed the companionship of his dogs, specifically King, Cujo, Violet, and his therapy dog Poppy.
He is predeceased by his mother Jenni and his close friend Paul Jolly, whom he met during his time in Grande Prairie with Life Support.
In lieu of flowers we would like to recognise those living with PTSD. As Dale would often say, “his is the face of PTSD.” Please donate to a PTSD charity of your choice. www.ptsdassociation.com For Canadians.
Or a PTSD charity of your choice.
There will be a celebration of Dale`s life on September 30th, 2019 at 11:00am at the Memorial Hall. Internment will follow at the Valleyview Cemetary.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dale Robert Jeppesen..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Valleyview, Province: Alberta