Dale Thomas Tingey

Dale Thomas Tingey passed away at home on February 27, 2025, in his 101st year of life. Born May 5, 1924, in Centerville, Utah to Wesley and Ivy Tingey, he was one of fourteen children who knew what “work” meant on the family farm. After completing High School (Davis) he entered the military and served as a pilot instructor during World War II. He then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Czechoslovakia from 1948 to 1950. He was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ throughout his life and served God and others in many callings.

Dale married Jeanette Dursteler in 1950, who he loved greatly but passed away in 2001. They raised seven children. Besides their son Mike, who passed away in 2023, he is survived by Scott (Rita), Diane Toolson (Tom), Richard (Elaine), Dan (Robyn), Boyd (Teri), and Shannan Phillips; and one brother, Cal Tingey. He has 23 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren. “Keep them coming” was his advice!

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, a master’s from BYU, and a PhD from Washington State University and received an honorary doctorate from BYU. He began his career in religious education as a Seminary teacher in 1951 in Cedar City, Utah. He spent over 17 years in Church Education in various locations and served as one of the assistant administrators of the Department of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion until his call as President of the Southwest Indian Mission in 1968.

In 1971 Dale became Director of the Institute of American Indian Studies and Research at BYU. This would become the cornerstone of his life’s work for over 50 years: assisting Native Americans improve their standard of living and pursue higher education. Upon Dale’s retirement from BYU, the program became American Indian Services (AIS), a non-profit organization. Initially he volunteered as Director and then continued his dedicated service to Native Americans.

In 2012, his 88th year of life, Dale quietly stepped down as Director but continued to be highly active in his role as Director Emeritus. Dale’s signature leadership of serving with kindness, charity, enthusiasm, and generosity helped grow AIS to the success it is today. The AIS board and staff continue the work.

Dale’s funeral is Saturday, March 8th at the Edgemont 5th Ward Chapel (350 E. 2950 N., Provo, UT) at 11am with viewing at 9:30-10:30am. Additional viewing on Friday, March 7th at 6-8pm at Nelson Family Mortuary (4780 N. University Ave., Provo).

All his family and many, many others have benefited from his commitment to God and his wonderful example of Christ-like service, love, and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the Tingey Family requests you please consider a donation to the Dale Tingey Scholarship Fund, through AIS (https://www.mygiving.net/donate/dt ) or the link below. This scholarship fund will continue his legacy of helping others. As Dale would say, “thanks a million!”

Dale Thomas Tingey Life Sketch

Dale Thomas Tingey was born May 5, 1924 in Davis County, Utah to Wesley
Earl Tingey and Ivy Parsons Tingey. He was the 8th of 14 children raised to work hard
on the family farm. By the age of 9, Dale was the “foreman” of a large crew of adult
“weeders” on the farm. He laughingly called himself the “weeder leader.” Dale’s father
gave each child a plot of land to start their own business. Through this income, Dale
was able to pursue his dream of flying and earned his pilot’s license by the time he was
16. His work ethic was one HALLMARK of his life. He graduated from Davis High
School in Kaysville, UT and began attending college at the University of Utah.
Dale’s schooling was interrupted by World War II and his love for his country
propelled him to enlist in the Army Air Corp. Dale was assigned to teach veteran cadets
to fly single-engine fighter planes. He attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was
honorably released in 1946.

Dale, now back at school, began selling fruit during the summer at Yellowstone
Park. It was there he met his wife, Jeanette Dursteler. Of this moment he remarked,
“She stood there with her dark hair and fair skin wearing an Indian jacket and
moccasins— the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.” Their courtship was interrupted in January of 1948 when Dale was called on a mission to Czechoslovakia by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Accepting this call was a difficult decision for Dale. Many LDS young men had an “understanding” that their service time WAS their mission and Dale feared falling behind and losing Jeanette. Her father had sternly told Dale, “If you really love my daughter, then you will stay here and marry her!” Dale’s father’s counsel was, “I promise you, in the name of the Lord, that if you will go and serve an honorable mission, you will not be one iota behind any of these young men, according to what you want*.” This became another HALLMARK of Dale’s life—sacrificing what HE WANTED for what the LORD and his FELLOW MEN NEEDED. Dale served from 1948-1950, during which time the
communists seized power there. He was in one of the last missionary groups expelled.
Dale and Jeanette were married on October 27, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple by
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith. Over the years, they were blessed with 7 children.
Dale continued his schooling while also teaching seminary in West Jordan, Utah.
This was the beginning of his 17-year career with the LDS Church Education System
and also the beginning of a family/career balancing act that would characterize his life.
In 1951, the church transferred Dale from West Jordan to Cedar City, Utah, where the
students had run the last teacher out. Dale turned to the Lord for inspiration and with
His help, Dale tamed the class, strengthened testimonies, and changed lives—another
HALLMARK of his life.

In 1954, Dale was transferred and he began teaching in Provo at the old Brigham
Young High School, while also training new seminary teachers. During this time, he
earned his Master’s degree in Church History and Doctrine from BYU.
In 1955, Dale was assigned to Pullman, Washington where he established a
seminary and institute program. While there he also earned his doctorate degree from
Washington State University in guidance and counseling.
By 1957, Dale was back teaching Religion for the 1957-58 school year at BYU.
He was also called as the first Bishop of the first married student ward there.

In the fall of 1958, Dale was moved to the Los Angeles area where he worked
with Elder Paul H. Dunn, organizing 30 institutes in the area.
In 1960, Dale became an assistant administrator for the Department of
Seminaries and Institutes. This brought him home to Provo where he worked with his
life-long friend, Elder Boyd K. Packer, strengthening the seminary and institute
programs throughout the church.

In July 1968, Dale was called as the mission president of the Southwest Indian
Mission, headquartered in Holbrook, Arizona. Desiring improvement in the mission,
President Tingey was prompted by the Lord to speak with each Elder individually,
recommitting each to keeping their covenants. He used a small plane to reach every
missionary in all the outlying locations. Dale said, “That became my theme song, I
taught them… that until we are worthy the Lord cannot bless this mission*.” Through
President Tingey’s leadership and the Elders’ obedience the Lord did bless the mission
and therefore the Native American people. Dale had many sacred, spiritual
experiences and diverse adventures on the reservations which can be found in SAME
DRUM, DIFFERENT BEAT*. This book recounts a portion of Dale’s life and was written
by John P. Livingstone, a former missionary of Dale’s. I have taken my quotes from this
book. Upon his release, Dale was encouraged by the prophet, President Spencer W.
Kimball, to continue serving the Native American community. So, in 1971, Dale
embarked on a 50+ year journey to aid Native Americans, while honoring their noble
heritage. This became the cornerstone of his life’s work.

During his first 18 years he directed American Indian Services and Research
Center at BYU. In this position, Dale was able to remain attuned to the pulse of the
Native Americans. He became a master at securing funds and matching needs with
resources. When BYU closed the program, Dale did not falter in his efforts towards
these chosen people he had grown to love. Instead of retiring, he continued this
important work by establishing a private, non-profit organization—American Indian
Services (AIS). Their focus was, and still is, providing needed funding for higher
education and other opportunities. Dale developed a large network of donors and
supporters that were incredibly generous. Many said of him: “His motives seem to have
a purity and innocence about them that stirred appreciation and admiration in others*.”
AIS has raised over 45 million dollars to invest in Native American students. Since
2005, over 52,000 scholarships have been awarded **. In 2012, at the age of 88, Dale
stepped down as Director of AIS and began serving as Emeritus Director.
Dale received many honors for his philanthropic efforts. Throughout his life, his
focus remained fixed on service to God and his fellowman. He left a legacy of faith.
Dale Thomas Tingey passed away peacefully at home on February 27, 2025. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette and his second son, Michael. Dale will be
fondly remembered by his precious posterity and the thousands touched by his love,
generosity and wisdom.
In concluding, may I quote, “His friends remain extremely loyal, and they love
Dale Tingey and his Native American cause. They love his outrageous, fly-by-the-seat-
of-his-pants style, his infectious laugh, and the ever-present, fattening refreshments.
They come to laugh and to share and to learn. They leave with hands full of candy and chips. They also leave with a healthy realism that sticks to their ribs and their minds
and tastes good all the way down*.”

We will miss you Dad. We love you!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Notes
This is an edited version of the Dale Thomas Tingey Life Sketch, given by his son, Scott
Thomas Tingey at Dale’s funeral on March 8, 2025.
*John P. Livingstone, Same Drum Different Beat, the Story of Dale T. Tingey and
American Services (Provo, Utah Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University,
2003)
**American Indian Services website: americanindianservices.org accessed on March 4,
2025.