Dale Friestad

Dale Howard Friestad went home to be with God on March 17, 2022 following an extended illness. Dale was born on April 6, 1959, in Rockford, IL. He grew up in Stillman Valley, IL, where he was a member of the Outdoor Club in high school and began his love of camping, rock climbing and all things outdoors in nature that he continued to enjoy throughout his life. Dale began his lifetime of service to our country and the United States Navy immediately after high school, ultimately achieving the rank of Master Chief Machinist Mate (E-9). He served multiple tours on the USS Bainbridge and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, expertly maintaining the nuclear power plants on both vessels, and retired after 27 years of service. He then served briefly as a defense contractor before becoming a federal civilian for the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington DC, first as a program analyst and then as the PRE/PPL manager for aircraft carriers until the time of his death. A longtime resident of the Gangplank Marina in Washington, DC, Dale was beloved by all who shared his love of marina life. His love of the sea was equaled only by his love of the Blue Buffalo Springs mountain retreat in Abingdon, VA, where he worked hard for many years supporting its development and members of that spiritual community he loved so dearly. The draw of the mountains proved stronger and Dale relocated to Mountain City, TN, in 2020, where he resided until his death with his loving and devoted best friend and significant other, Rosemary Travis, building their dream cabin and retirement home on 13 acres of beautiful mountain land, filled with peaceful streams and wildlife. Preceding him in death was his father LeRoy Friestad. He is survived by his mother, Norma Friestad; sisters, Angie Davis (Ferril) and Gwen Deierhoi ; brother Gary Friestad (Kathy); daughters Ishaway Friestad, Amber L A Borealis, and Bria Friestad; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Blue Buffalo Springs in Abingdon, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Cancer Research Institute or Dale’s favorite charity, Blue Buffalo Spectrum of the Heart 46400 Benedict Drive, Suite 203, Sterling VA 30164. Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.mountaincityfh.com The family of Dale Howard Friestad has entrusted his care to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, Tennessee 37683.