Walter Dahlin

WALTER DAHLIN The beautiful life of Walter Odell Dahlin ended December 12th, 2014 after a brief decline. Born January 20, 1921 in Sioux Falls, SD, he lived most of his life in California. He served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant during WWII, surviving terrible injuries that changed his career from violist to music educator and conductor. He was married fifty years to Patricia Tangemann and raised three children: Michel, Marc, and Per. He is pre-deceased by son Marc, brother Norman, parents Walter and Norma, and great-nephew Joey. After he was widowed, he married Sharon Koonce New Year's morning, 1996, and they shared many adventures in travel and home-building over nineteen loving years. In his 48 years in Chico he worked as a professor of music, conducting the Chico State Symphony and Chorus, the Paradise Symphony, and the choir of St. John's Episcopal. An avid track & field athlete, he organized fundraiser runs, and competed nationally and internationally in Masters' Track meets. Walt is survived by his wife Sharon, his daughters Michel (Dave) and Per (Don), his sister MaryLin (Gene), step-daughter Kristy (Clark), step-son Mark (Libby), and six grand/step-grandchildren, who will miss his gentle spirit and sense of fun. Memorial service to be held 2 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014 at St John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, 2341 Floral Avenue, Chico, CA 95926 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John the Evangelist Organ Fund.