Dale L. Schmaljohn – Bowman Funeral Directors

Dale Lawrence Schmaljohn was born on June 20, 1941 to Jacob Raymond and Rachel Schmaljohn in Nampa, ID and was the youngest of three boys. Dale’s older brothers are Raymond and Ron Schmaljohn. When Dale was very young his mother died of a brain tumor. His father Raymond raised the boys with the help of his grandmother and other family members. Dale and his brothers attended elementary school in New Meadows, Idaho while his father worked at the Tamarack sawmill nearby. Later the family moved to Emmett, Idaho and Dale attended Emmett High school where he played football and worked on farms in the summers. In the summer of 1959 Dale worked on a trail crew for the Payette National Forest as a means to gain the experience required to become a Smokejumper. After graduating from High School in 1960 he married Phyllis Yearsley and began working with the Payette National Forest Smokejumpers.

In addition to firefighting in the summer, Dale attended Idaho State University earning a Bachelors degree of Psychology and a teaching certificate in 1965. He and Phyllis started a family in 1963 and had two sons, Patrick and Scott Schmaljohn. Dale continued his education at ISU while working as a teacher in Pocatello, Idaho. In 1969 Dale finished up his Masters degree in school counseling and the family moved to Boise Idaho where Dale began working for the Boise School district as a teacher for North Junior High. Wanting to be a school counselor he resigned from his firefighting job in 1971 and moved to Greely, Colorado to earn a Doctorate in School Psychology. Upon leaving his position with the Payette National Forest Smokejumpers, Dale was honored for having completed over 100 jumps into the backcountry of Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and Washington during his eleven seasons of service.

In 1973, Dale had earned his Doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado and moved back to Boise and began working as a school psychologist for the Boise School District. Wanting to spend more time in the Idaho wilderness, Dale purchased land outside of McCall, ID near Jug Handle Mountain and built a modest log cabin in 1974 with his family. In 1982 Dale authored and published a book for young readers titled “Smokejumper – A Summer in the American Wilderness”. The book is based on a fictional character named after his two sons “Scott Patrick” and is heavily influenced by many of Dale’s smoke jumping experiences.

In 1982 Dale married Marilyn Edmundson and gained two step sons, Mark and Kevin Edmundson. He and the family shared much happiness together. They built a second cabin in the Jug Handle Mountain area. The cabin brought so much joy to everyone. The family has so many great memories of stoking fires, cooking, hiking, sledding and skiing together. Dale felt at peace and loved his time in the woods. Dale retired from his job as School Psychologist from the Boise School District after 33 years of service.

One of Dale’s favorite past times was skiing. He skied even at the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in 2010. His friend Bruce would take him up to Bogus Basin ski area and watch him closely while Dale enjoyed his favorite sport. Eventually the Alzheimers became more debilitating and Dale spent the last 7 years of his life at the Emerson Memory Care center up until his death on April 25th, 2020.

Dale’s smile, positive attitude, compassion and love will be dearly missed by all who love him. We will carry on knowing his life had seen much beauty in the wilderness he loved so much, his children, his family, his friends and his wife Marilyn who lovingly stood by him.

Dale is preceded in death by grandmother, mother, father, brother, numerous aunts and uncles and son Patrick. He is survived by wife Marilyn, brother Raymond, son Scott, grandchildren Alex, Emma and Kira, nieces Teresa and Anita, and two step sons Kevin and Mark and their children.

Arrangements for Dale are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City, Idaho. 208-853-3131

Condolences(8)

Karen Ellis-Vant says
April 28, 2020 at 4:56 pm

I am so sorry to hear about Dale’s passing. He was one of my first friends when I moved back to Boise in 1975. I was lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him in the Boise School District for so many years. We worked together on on any projects, both in Special Education & for the Boise Education Association. He introduced me to the original Rose’s restaurant on one of our trips to Portland. Dale was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Rest In peace, Dale. You will be missed.
Jacqueline Morales-Parenti says
April 28, 2020 at 9:11 pm

So very sorry to hear about Dale’s passing. I had the privilege to work with him since I came to Boise until he retited. I followed him at Whittier when we moved here. Everyone adored him there. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met, a great school psychologist, wonderful colleague and friend and a man of integrity. Rest in Peace, Dale.
My most sincere condolences to the entire family.
mike eisenbeiss says
April 28, 2020 at 9:42 pm

I have known Dale since high school. He influenced me to go to college when the idea had never entered my mind. We live together in Boise while attending BJC. There were six or 8 of us all sleeping in bunk beds in one room. Dale is one of my best friends. Rest in peace Dale.
Sharon Eisenbeiss says
May 1, 2020 at 3:24 am

Marilyn, Scott and Family,
Dale has been a part of our lives since we were teenagers, through colleges, as we raised our kids, and as we grew older and more mature I treasure our times together and all those memories. I have always thought of him as kind, pleasant and the all around nice guy. My love, prayers and condolences to all of you.
Ken Dunbar says
May 1, 2020 at 1:45 pm

A friend, a colleague and a gentle man. I miss you.
Scott Schmaljohn says
May 18, 2020 at 9:12 pm

Thank you Dad! You taught me how to navigate this life with gratitude, compassion, kindness and love. You will live in my heart forever. Rest in peace.
Mary O'Connor Berkshire (Knapp) says
May 18, 2020 at 10:58 pm

Dale was a true friend and guiding light as a colleague at Borah High School all those years ago. We worked with so many fascinating students and Dale’s insight into learning abilities made it possible to unlock the potential in each student. We learned we were both UNC alum, too!
We became good friends over the years – I was honored to help edit Smokejumper…..as we were both working on our writing. Dale was also a part of a business- education video project, Borah Pride, part of the BSD Partners in Education. Our partner was Hewlett-Packard Packard – we all made new connections thanks to that partnership.
Dale was one I could turn to for advice and counsel as we collaborated on the implementation of “mainstreaming.” Memorable careers come about thanks to caring colleagues like Dale.
We shared a love of McCall and the great Idaho outdoors. It was my gift to know Dale and later connect with a Marilyn and the “breakfast crew.” My heart goes out to all of you – May Dale rest in God’s eternal peace.
Mary O’Connor Berkshire (Knapp)
Vickie L Little says
May 20, 2020 at 2:36 pm

Marilyn I am sorry for your loss, I loved hearing Dales stories. He will be greatly missed. Dale Rest in Peace

Dale L. Schmaljohn June 20, 1941 - April 25, 2020

Condolences(8)

Karen Ellis-Vant says

Jacqueline Morales-Parenti says

mike eisenbeiss says

Sharon Eisenbeiss says

Ken Dunbar says

Scott Schmaljohn says

Mary O'Connor Berkshire (Knapp) says

Vickie L Little says

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