Richard Dale Drilling passed away on Feb. 17, 2025. He was 87 years old. Dale was born in Reed City, Mich., on May 17, 1937, to Willard Dick Drilling and Marcella Young. He had seven younger brothers — three of whom preceded him in death — and two half-sisters, Cindy Folkertsma and Crystal Forster.
Dale was raised by his grandparents during very tough times. His love of the outdoors began when he started hunting and fishing with his grandfather. While still in high school, he worked in a furniture factory and later on the General Motors production line.
During this time, he married Patricia McCleary and raised her son, Tim, as his own, taking great delight in mentoring Tim and his fellow drivers in the Soap Box Derby. A daughter, Shelby, was also adopted to complete the family. Pat and Dale later divorced.
After moving to Idaho in the 1980s, Dale became a successful real estate broker while continuing to pursue his love of the outdoors. Gene Wensel introduced Dale to international archery hunting, starting him on a series of expeditions around the world. These trips deepened Dale’s knowledge of cultures and indigenous peoples while also providing financial support for wildlife conservation. His accomplishments received recognition in numerous Pinnacle of Achievement Awards in archery from Safari Club International.
Dale loved women, jazz, beer and fast cars — not necessarily in that order. He and his wife, Sandra Radwin, shared a love for the arts and supported many local artists. Reading was another passion — he enjoyed science fiction, mysteries and books that enhanced his knowledge of literature, other cultures, wildlife and hunting.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra; son Tim McCleary and his wife, Julie McCleary, daughter Shelby Drilling; stepdaughter Dugan Radwin; two grandsons, Mitch and Matthew McCleary; and four great-grandchildren. A service will be held later this year to honor his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dale’s memory to Conservation Force: A Force for Wildlife Conservation at www.conservationforce.org/donate