Dale A. Wilson: A Life Lived With Purpose

As I sit down to share a bit about Dale A. Wilson, I cannot help but get the sense that many of you may have already met Dale through his years of work at Northwest Hospital. But first, a bit about his early years.

Following high school, Dale had a stint with the Navy, beginning with nuclear submarine training. He then moved to the USS Kitty Hawk and was stationed at Subic Bay, Hong Kong and in Africa.

Dale’s career at Northwest Hospital began in 1977 when he began training as a nurse. He would continue to work at Northwest Hospital until his retirement in 2017. His first position was in Orthopedics. He then moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he would work for 20 years, and his final position was as the Nursing Manager of the Emergency Department. Dale’s commitment to nursing was evident through his dedication to his patients. Doctors would often ask if Dale was going to be around to help work on their most difficult cases.

A big part of his dedication to nursing involved serving as a mentor to others. Within any successful enterprise, the role of the mentor is often the glue that brings together and builds successful teams, and in Dale’s case, saves lives. During his final days, his mentorship took a more personal turn. His niece, Nicole, shared how she would call Dale every night to listen to him and learn from his life experiences and gain valuable perspectives. At 32, she has found those phone calls to be invaluable as she deals with everyday issues and relationships in her career as a mental health therapist. Dale bestowed upon her an understanding of which life lessons stand the test of time.

Dale’s private life included a long and happy marriage to his wife, Cameron, an ICU nurse and an artist whose artistic touch was visible throughout their home and elaborate gardens. The backyard oasis that Dale and Cameron created together brought enjoyment to everyone who had the privilege to spend time there. Dale’s brother, Rick, fondly remembers getting calls from Dale to come over and help him move “some rocks.” Upon arrival, Rick quickly realized that Dale did not seem to know the difference between “rocks” and “boulders.”

Dale and Cameron lived lives of purpose, and shared in creating a beautiful home and garden for their own enjoyment and that of their families and friends. Dale directed gifts to Northwest Harvest and other organizations generously. Our gift will allow us to continue his and Cameron’s life’s work of helping others. Truly, the lives of Dale and Cameron were lives well lived.

Dale Wilson’s love for his family, community and patients lives on as the cornerstone of his compassion. His support of Northwest Harvest reflects his and wife Cameron’s wish to make healthy food accessible, achieve food equity, and end hunger in Washington. You can make a similar impact on communities all across Washington by including Northwest Harvest in your estate plan. To learn more, contact Justin Vierela at 206.923.7485 or justinv@northwestharvest.org.