05/01/1922-05/06/2011
Dale E. Shintaffer, age 89 passed away on May 6, 2011 in Bellingham. He was born May 1, 1922 in Blaine and lived on the Shintaffer Road as a child. He graduated from Blaine High School. While attending Western Washington College he met his future wife Elaine Sundback and they married on September 19, 1942. A three year stint in the Army Air Corps ended in 1946. After working several jobs, he and Elaine (aka The Boss) founded Sound Beverage Distributors in 1950. Sound Beverage is now in its 61st year of service to Whatcom County customers, growing from a company of 3 employees to over 90 at present. During his working years, Dale was active in many civic and vocational activities. This included being part of the nucleus that conceived and began construction of the Civic Field complex, many years on the Civil Service Commission, and leadership roles in the National and State Beer Wholesalers Associations. His neighbors at Lake Whatcom most remember the frequent fishing ventures he and The Boss would do. Workers at Sound Beverage learned to flee when they saw more trout coming to be given away as they could no way eat what they caught. Many winters were spent in Indio, California as neighbors of other life long friends. Dale is preceded in death by his son Alan Shintaffer and his sister Margaret Gorze. He is survived by his wife Elaine, sons Dean Shintaffer (Joyce) and John Shintaffer (Belinda). Grandchildren Mark Shintaffer (Amy) and their daughters Grace and Kate, Kurt Shintaffer (Kylee) and their daughter Macy, Gary Shintaffer (Bernadette) and their sons Noah and Liam. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The family thanks the Highland Care Center staff for the excellent care provided Dale during his stay there. A family service will occur at a later date. Memorials may be made in Dale’s memory to the Shintaffer Family Scholarship Endowment, Western Washington University Foundation, 516 High St., MS9034, Bellingham, WA 98225, or online at
http://www.wwu.edu/give
or to a favorite charity