Matthew Arthur Dale, born 19 July 1959 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, died at peace in his home with his family on 17 August 2018. Matthew passed with just enough hair to blow in the wind on his bicycle ride to heaven. He, of course, will not be wearing a helmet.
Matthew prided himself on being a life-long learner. He culminated his formal education with a B.A. from the University of Minnesota and an M.A. from Pacific Lutheran University. He continued his informal education through his dedication to public service. Serving as the director of the Friendship Center for over a decade, and as the director of the Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection and Victim Services for the last seventeen years fed his desire to constantly learn.
Matthew, at the end of the day, was a man of simple pleasures. He kept a quote book throughout his life in which he included a list of his favorite places in the world. These “places” describe well who he was and the things he valued.
In the arms of my family. At his core, Matthew was a family man and took his role as a partner and father seriously. While he could be incredibly silly, he was serious about the time he dedicated to his loved ones. He once penned a sermon saying he wanted to change Father’s Day to Daddy’s Day. In his own words, “‘father’ is stern and formal. It connotes rules and rigidity. ‘Daddy’ is a term of endearment, it creates a sense of warmth, trust, and intimacy. I love being called daddy.” He excelled in his role as a dad by being steadfast, dependable, playful, and a great listener.
Chico Hot Springs. Matthew loved taking friends and family to Chico for dinner and a soak. While he was born a cake-eater from Edina, Minnesota, it is hard to find a transplant who loved Montana more fully.
Reading in a coffee shop. Those who knew Matthew know that good coffee, a good magazine article, and a good, dark beer topped his list of favorite things. He held many meetings at the General Merc, and frequented the Blackfoot enough to report on who was there “all the time.”
The aisle seat in an exit row, flying to a vacation. Matthew had the opportunity to see large parts of the world via plane, car, and boat. It was important to him to share as much of the world as he could with his family. Most of his trips, either by himself or with family, were to see a museum or important historical site. He read almost all of the “historical point of interest” signs across Montana’s highways.
St. Paul’s Church between 11 a.m. and noon on Sunday Mornings. Being an active and integral member of the St. Paul’s community brought Matthew a great deal of spiritual and social support. He served as a lay-leader and volunteered many hours to the church. He especially enjoyed Choir and Jazz Sundays. Matthew’s relationship with God began early and continued throughout his life. Through God and the church he formed some of his most significant friendships.
On Broadway on a Tuesday night. Matthew was happiest while enjoying a good meal with friends and family. In the past few years he particularly loved organizing a huge meal out, so his whole family could be together without worrying about cooking and cleaning. He had an excoriating sense of humor and no one was spared. He was always looking for the next battle of the wits and passed away with a self-proclaimed “undefeated record.” It was his hope that every conversation resulted in you needing to look up at least three words in the dictionary. He loved words and language, which he used as an impressive tool in his work as an advocate.
Matthew took great pride in his work and was able to share his expertise on a national level as a consultant for the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative. Thanks to his hard work, Montana sets the national standard for State and Native American fatality review teams. Matthew’s life’s work has saved lives. He was an outstanding leader that expected excellence in himself, as well as in those with whom he worked.
While Matthew loved traveling around the state, his home for the past forty years has been Helena. He was a committed public servant who showed his love for his city and community through his volunteerism. He served as president for many non-profit boards. He proudly proclaimed that his greatest skill was efficiently running meetings in order to end five minutes early.
Matthew lived and worked by the belief that if you “treat people as if they were what they ought to be, you help them become what they are capable of being.”
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Dale Jr. and sister, Corby.
Matthew is survived by his wife, Kim; children, Kaci, Kallie, and Kaleb; and grandson, Elio. He is also survived by his mother, Lynne; siblings, Tom (Barb), Pat (Patty), and Peter (Chica); nieces and nephews, Rosie, Colin, Evan, McKenna, Ashley and Brittany. Matthew is also survived by our Kelly.
Part of what made Matthew a great colleague, brother, friend, and dad was being a member of this community. Matthew and his family feel a great appreciation towards the people Helena and would like to say thank you.
A service celebrating Matthew’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, August 30th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan. A reception will immediately follow in the lower level of the church. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Matthew.
Bobbie Scott says
Kim and family: I am so very sorry for your loss. You’ve been on my mind. Sending hugs to all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Tom Naegele says
Prayers of support for Matt’s Family & Friend’s. We have good memories of a fine man. He gave all he could and lived the best life possible. Resting safely now in God’s Loving wonderful hands.
Adrianne Cotton says
Matt gave without abandon to those around him. He fostered ambition, helped those around him find strength, and changed Montana for the better with exceptional grace. Not a day passes that I am not profoundly grateful for Matt’s contributions and his loss is immeasurable. Kim and family, I know your grief is terrible beyond words, you have my love and sympathy.
Jamie Rogers says
Matt has been fundamental in changing the culture of victim services in the State of Montana. Along his way, he chose to lift up those around him and encourage and support others whose passion is victim services. He has made such a difference in my life. His wisdom and compassion will be missed. His love of family is evident and my heart goes out to all of you.
AnnieB says
I’m very sorry for your loss. May the love of family, friends and Almighty God bring you strength and comfort during your time of grief. (Isaiah 41:10) And may the resurrection promise found at John 5:28, 29 bring hope and peace.
Lane Mathis says
I am deeply sorry for the passing of our friend Matt, we shared many emotional times together and I always felt like Matt was a brother to me. My connections with his family created a bond that will live in my heart forever. His son Kaleb shared abundant hunting times with my family and I am forever grateful for the trust Matt and Kim gave to me, not to mention the memories Kaleb and I have.
Matt was responsible for our business donation program starting a long tradition of raising funds for the Friendship Center over twenty years ago when Matt was the director. I celebrate Matt’s life and what he stood for in his beliefs, which were always about family and helping others. Matt’s faith always inspired me to be a better person, something I cherish.
In tribute to our friend Matt Dale, we plan to honor and celebrate Matt’s legacy during our open house this December. I know the Friendship Center will embrace helping us celebrate Matt Dale.
I miss and love you Matt.
Lane Mathis
Lane and Janet Mathis says
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Dale Family for Matt’s loss. We will never forget our dear friend Matt and please know we love and cherish you all.
Marilyn says
I miss you Matt. We were such good friends, and now I have you only in my mind. Thank you for all you have done for me, for your family, and many others. You will be loved forever.
Marilyn
Kelly Downing LCSW says
I remember Matt fondly when I interned at the Friendship Center almost twenty years ago. He was passionate about social justice issues and cared deeply for the center’s patrons. Matt also had an AMAZING sense of humor. I remember he had a particularly bad day and decided to drive around with a ‘teddy bear’ in the passenger seat of his brown mini-van. The ‘bear’ was buckled in. I think he passed that van on to Kallie and Kaleb? I remember seeing it with like a HUNDRED stickers on the back window 🙂 Matt was kind, empathic, direct and honest. He had an incredible sense of integrity. I will miss his sense of humor and his deep commitment to contributing fully to the community of Helena. His legacy is in his children and his grandson! Matt, you were a tremendous gift to so many!
jeff and melissa sherlock says
So sorry to hear of this. We used to see Matt frequently at soccer games, where we were constantly amazed by his quick wit and great sense of humor. He will be missed; peace to his family.
Kathy McGowan says
I was very sorry to learn of Matt’s death. Our paths crossed through our professions and he always was one of those people who was totally humane, professional, committed. I can’t think of a single negative thing about Matt. What a loss for his family, friends, and our entire community.
Elizabeth Kohlstaedt says
I have known Matt for years through his service to Intermountain, but it has only been within the past 5 years or so that we became friends. I miss him. You are all on my mind as you live life without his large presence. He told me that as a middle child, he was sort of invisible. His personality and his accomplishments made up for that in a big way in his adult life.
He has shared how much he loved all of you with me. His love didn’t always show itself sentimentally, but always in action. His heart was kind and his profound community works embodied that love. I am glad that he was honored for all of his contributions in the last days and weeks of his life. I hope that you all are as proud of him as I am. The letter from the Attorney General of Montana is a testament to his impact on this community and to many of us personally.
I joined the Domestic Violence Fatality Review as a visitor at his invitation, and Matt never ceased to make me feel welcome and encourage me to voice my thoughts. That encouragement and his amazingly quick wit keep him in my mind and heart. It was my honor to know him and to count him as a friend.
Tom Reilly says
I knew Matt through St. Paul’s, and not even that well. A kinder, more polite, or more compassionate person would be hard to name. I could tell he made a difference and made this world a better place for everyone he interacted with. We are all better because of him.
tom
Kitty Curtis says
We knew Matt through his service on the Intermountain Board of Directors and through his work with the Domestic Violence Fatality Review commission. He was such a pleasure to work with, both because of his devotion to the cause and his wit and personality. Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family; we hope your wonderful memories of your time with Matt will bring you comfort and peace.
Kitty Curtis and Stu Stadler
Larriann Murphy says
Dale family and Kelly,
I am so sorry to hear about Matt. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Larriann Murphy
Cherie LeBlanc-Dyba says
My prayers and hugs go out to his family and friends. I met Matt through the State CASA Association, and his short time serving on our board was incredible. He was able to help me put words into a grant I was writing, he indeed had a great vocabulary for words. I was honored to know him for a short time.
Nancy Sweeney Madden says
I was privileged to know and work on many projects with Matt. Beginning at St. Paul’s, when our children were in Sunday School together, Matt demonstrated the best qualities of a husband, daddy and fellow citizen. His compassion and commitment to social justices issues
inspired others to work together. Simply, Matt made Helena a better place. God bless you my friend.
Terry Cosgrove says
Kim and Family I am so sorry for your loss, I fondly remember visiting with Matt at the Blackfoot he always had a keen sense of humor and just fun to visit with. Know that all of you are in my prayers.
April Yahvah says
Dear Kim, Kaci, Kallie, Kaleb, Elio & Kelly-so sorry for your loss. He was such a big part of your life!
Jim Nolan says
Matt was a wonderful, caring guy. His commitment to those in need is unparalleled. Peace to his family. Thanks for sharing such a man with the rest of us
Bill and Marsha Davis says
Dear Kim, Kaleb, Kallie, Kaci and family,
We are so sorry for your loss, and we send our deepest sympathy to each of you. We will always remember Matt as a kind and thoughtful man and as a loving and supportive neighborhood Dad. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill, Marsha, Will and Marissa Davis
Carol Smith says
I knew Matt only casually when our daughters played soccer together, and would see him in the halls of State government. Always friendly, kind and funny. What a tremendous loss for your family and our community. God’s blessings to all of you.
john ilgenfritz says
Our paths first crossed when I was the interim director of the Friendship Center and Matt was interviewed for the position of executive director. He served the Friendship Center and our community enthusiastically with integrity, humor, grace and devotion.
Over the years our paths crossed at various events, rallies and gatherings promoting the common and uncommon good.
He always called me “Mr. ilgenfritz”, which caused me to both smile and feel incredibly old. : > )