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Obituary

Allen Dale Disher

December 2, 2016 | 3 comments

Allen Dale Disher, 71, of La Crosse passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at his home.

He was born in Independence, WI, April 5, 1945, to Stanley and Margaret (Suchomel) Disher.  He married Judy Verdick, the love of his life, on May 29, 1971, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Winona, MN.
He graduated magna cum laude from Winona State University with degrees in History and Social Science.
Dale’s employment history included 30 years of railroading interspersed with private industry, trucking and the Alaska Pipeline.
He started with the Milwaukee Road as a young man working one summer on a section gang, then on to telegraph operator and relief agent.
He moved on to Traffic Manager at Bay State Milling Co. in Winona.  Then he spent seven years in trucking.  He was Operations Supervisor with Briggs Transportation in Winona, with promotions to Omaha, NE, and Kansas City, MO.  Alaska came next.  He acquired a position as Terminal Manager at Sourdough Freight Lines in Anchorage.  Then one of his life’s greatest adventures was working on the Alaska Pipeline.  He worked for Fluor Construction, in the logistics department, at three different pump stations.

Back to railroading.  He worked at the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for eight years until he helped with the startup of the new Wisconsin Central Railroad.  He was agent at Waukesha, WI, with promotions to Manager of Customer Service in Stevens Point, WI, and Manager of Market Development in Fond du Lac, WI.  He became an employee of the Canadian National Railroad when they purchased Wisconsin Central.

He received many awards and commendations, among them the Sales MVP award.  He trained and received certification as a conductor and as a locomotive engineer.  He was a director and secretary/treasurer for the Railway Industrial Clearance Assn (RICA).

He completed industry related correspondence courses in traffic management, loading rules, interchange rules, track safety and other courses too numerous to mention.
He is licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).  He was licensed by the state of Wisconsin as an ambulance attendant.  He completed a first responder course.
During his busy schedule he was still able to do volunteer work.  He coordinated special projects such as the United Way Packer Train as well as the Circus Train.  He taught Operation Lifesaver for the railroad.  He was a first aid instructor for the Red Cross and tutored for the Portage County Literacy Council.
Dale was an avid reader and political enthusiast.  He would have conversations on any subject.  To his on-line buddies he was known as “easy”.  There were many discussions as well as hot debates generated by the opinion page of the Winona Daily News.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; and his sister, Daun.  He is also survived by his bother-in laws, Robert, August and John Verdick; and his sister-in-laws Shirley Carter and Charlotte Bronk.  He is further survived by two nephews and seven nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Margaret Disher; and brother-in-law Harry Verdick.
Per Dale’s request a small family gathering was held.  Coulee Region Cremation Group is handling the arrangements.

Condolences

3 Comments

  1. Daun Disher

    A playmate in my childhood
    A protector in my teens
    A generous helper in my adult life
    Best big brother the world has seen.

  2. Jim Drier

    Dale started working at Winona as operator in the mid 60’s and being trained by his Father (Dish). Dale became one of the best operators I worked with on the switch engine at Winona, and was always happy to see him when I came to work. I was saddened to see him leave for a better position at Bay State but encouraged him to pursue his ambitions knowing he would find more opportunities elsewhere. I considered Dale a great friend and know he will be sorely missed by all he came in contact with. “Hi Ball Dale”

  3. Bruce Langseth

    My condolences to the family of “easy”. He will certainly be missed on the WDN board.

    He was always very insightful, to the point and while we never met face to face I always considered him to be a friend.

    When we did the Hives on Ice fund raiser he was so helpful.

    I will miss him,
    Troller

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