VAN BUSKIRK, Dale Irwin

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, AZ Wednesday, March 02, 2011 Dale Irwin Van Buskirk, age 82, passed away peacefully in Globe, Ariz. at his home, surrounded by family and loved ones on Feb. 17, 2011. He was born March 18, 1928 in Indianapolis, Ind. to Byron and Loraine Van Buskirk. In 1946 Dale graduated from Huntington High School in Huntington, Ind. He then joined the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer with the 82nd Airborne from 1946 to 1948. After serving in the Army, Dale attended the University of Arizona pursuing a course of study in engineering for one and a half years. From 1950 to 1955 Dale served with the Tucson Police Department as a Patrolman, rising quickly to the rank of detective. From 1956 to 1963 Dale worked for the Arizona Highway Patrol as a Patrolman. While in that capacity he came to Globe in 1956. He loved the Globe/Miami area very much stating that he enjoyed the congenial people and the close proximity to excellent hunting and fishing. Dale enjoyed his work with the Highway Patrol, but yearned for a police job in which he could take a variety of different calls and not be moved around the state all the time. He began working for the Globe Police Department in 1963 as a Patrolman. He held the ranks of Assistant Chief of Police, Criminal Investigator and eventually Chief of Police of the Globe Police Department. Dale went on to work for the local copper mines, Gila County Rabies Control and eventually retired from the Gila County Probation Department at the young age of 74 in 2002. Dale enjoyed spending time with his family, photography, target shooting, attending bluegrass festivals, traveling, prospecting, hunting, fishing, bee keeping, and gardening. He also enjoyed traveling with his long time companion, Claudine Boswell. He could entertain anyone for hours with stories from his life experiences. He dearly loved his grandchildren. He strived to attend each of their birthday parties and sporting events even if he wasn’t feeling up to it. Dale was preceded in death by his father, Byron Van Buskirk; his mother, Loraine Van Buskirk; his sister, Ilo Van Buskirk-Hite; and his brother, Ralph E. Van Buskirk. Dale is survived by his long time companion, Claudine Boswell; his brother, George A. (Wanda) Van Buskirk of California; his son Ray A. (Chastity) Van Buskirk of Globe; two grandsons, Chad M. Van Buskirk and Cole M. Van Buskirk; and two granddaughters, Corrinn M. Van Buskirk and Carlee M. Van Buskirk. Dale was truly a great man and will be missed by all.