Dale R. Galliart

Dale Reuben Galliart, 91, of Bettendorf, formerly of Orion, IL, passed away December 2, 2023.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday December 7, 2023, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4107 21st Avenue Moline. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. The burial will be at Western Township Cemetery, Orion, where military honors will be conducted. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline is assisting the family.

Dale was born on July 20, 1932 at home in Dorrance, KS; the son of Reuben and Leah Galliart. Dale graduated from Dorrance High School in 1948. He joined the Army in 1954 and served in Germany until 1956. He married Mary Ann Hodler on December 28, 1958 in Beloit, KS. Dale graduated from Kansas State University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Dale taught high school math in Hays, KS. from 1960 - 1967. While teaching, Dale obtained his Master’s of Science in Mathematics from Arizona State University in 1965. From 1967-69, Dale worked on his PhD in Engineering Materials at Kansas State University, but was offered an engineering position with John Deere Technical Center in Moline, IL in 1969. The family moved to Orion, IL and Dale worked for John Deere until his retirement in 1995. He attained the level of Principle Engineer and authored many published articles dealing with stress, strain and fracture mechanics. Results of these publications are still utilized throughout the industry today, and he was a great influence and mentor to many engineers in the company.

Dale was involved at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline, IL and the Dorrance KS American Legion. He continued to work part-time throughout his entire life on the Galliart Family Farm in Kansas, then was able to continue full-time farming upon retiring from John Deere, embarking on his second career and true passion, for another 20 years until retiring in 2012 at 80 years old. Grandpa Dale shared his love of the land with his grandchildren, where they learned how to drive vehicles and farm machinery, build fences, harvest the wheat, and experience the value of hard work!

Survivors include his wife Mary Ann, Bettendorf, his sons Mike (Beth) Galliart, Davenport, IA, and Mark (Lisa) Galliart, Hudson, IL; grandchildren Jason (Jamie) Galliart, St. Charles, IL, Nathan (Katie) Galliart, St. Charles, IL, Josh (Kayleigh) Galliart, Bettendorf, IA, Kyle (Mallie) Goeken, Raleigh, NC, Kayla (Ross) Keyashian, Forney, TX, Kory Goeken (Doug Ireland) , Normal, IL; Great Grandchildren Olivia, Alexandra, Leah, Daxton, Allegra, Isla, Cora, Lincoln Galliart; Raven Keyashian, Willow and Stella Goeken.

He was preceded in death by his parents Reuben and Leah Galliart, sister Eveleyen Walker and granddaughter Kara Galliart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Moline or the Dorrance KS American Legion Post 334.