Obituary for Dale Leo "Pete" Chinburg
Dale Leo “Pete” Chinburg
February 19, 1930 - February 20, 2023
Dale Leo “Pete” Chinburg passed away on February 20 at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and family.
Pete was born in Eldora, Iowa on February 19, 1930. He was a smart and social young man who excelled in athletics, even playing in the baseball Minor Leagues for a stint. He became an excellent marksman and was an avid sportsman throughout his life. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the Upper University of Iowa and bachelor’s and Master of Engineering degree from the University of Iowa. He served in the Air Force from 1953-1958 and graduated with the class of 55-I to earn his pilots wings.
It was while he was briefly stationed in North Carolina that he met the love of his life, Ellen Hastings, a beautiful young nurse. After only 8 dates and a long-distance courtship of 9 months, the couple married. They lived in Colorado and Iowa City and then they moved to Los Angeles for his job as a Program Manager at Marshall Laboratories. The adventurous couple had 4 sons in quick succession, and then moved across the country to Durham to take a job as Associate Director of the Space Science Center at University of New Hampshire. He held various program management positions at UNH from 1967-1981. Upon leaving UNH he started several entrepreneurial ventures, including a survival kit called the Boony Box that his kids assembled at home, and they were sold nationally by LL Bean. He also involved his family in real estate ventures where he invested and renovated apartment buildings.
Throughout all their years together Pete and Ellen made and nurtured friendships all across the country. They would think nothing of driving to North Carolina to visit with Ellen’s nursing friends or cross country for Pete’s annual anniversaries of the airman’s group. He shared his love of nature with his 4 sons and encouraged a sense of awe as well as self-sufficiency and confidence in themselves. He had full faith in their capabilities as proven by their multi-day canoe camping trips through the lakes of Algonquin Park, mentored by their good friend Dr. Kase. Pete was a man of faith, courage and perseverance.
A great sadness in their lives was the loss of their son Michael Leo Chinburg, who died while in service as an F-16 fighter pilot, just days prior to the first Gulf War. Despite their deep grief, they held their faith in God and family. Pete was always an active and involved father and grandfather, teaching his 11 grandchildren the same values that he himself embodied. Pete was a true gentleman and was known for his dry wit, often sharing quiet and insightful quips that made his family chuckle for days.
Pete will forever be remembered as a gentleman who adored his wife and loved his family, friends and country. He continued to have weekly breakfast with his local veteran’s group in Durham until just recently. He was a long-term Rotarian. He excelled in many things and shared his knowledge of guns and marksmanship generously with law enforcement professionals and friends, always emphasizing safety and responsibility.
Along with his son Michael, Pete was predeceased by his parents, Opal and Leo, his sister Sara Lou, and his brother John. He is survived by his wife Ellen of 65 years, his son Steve and his wife Joanne of Barrington, his son Eric and his wife Jen of Exeter, and his son Jon of Durham. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren Noah (and his wife Leslie), Eli (and his wife Ali) and Daisy, Lars, Elsa, Peter, Luke, Riley, Shane, Caleb and Josie. He is also survived by 3 great grandchildren Matthew, Isla and Bowden, as well as so many friends who will be forever grateful for having known him. A celebration of life will take place in June.
• The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Pete’s memory to the Hyder Family Hospice House, 285 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820
February 19, 1930 - February 20, 2023
Dale Leo “Pete” Chinburg passed away on February 20 at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and family.
Pete was born in Eldora, Iowa on February 19, 1930. He was a smart and social young man who excelled in athletics, even playing in the baseball Minor Leagues for a stint. He became an excellent marksman and was an avid sportsman throughout his life. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the Upper University of Iowa and bachelor’s and Master of Engineering degree from the University of Iowa. He served in the Air Force from 1953-1958 and graduated with the class of 55-I to earn his pilots wings.
It was while he was briefly stationed in North Carolina that he met the love of his life, Ellen Hastings, a beautiful young nurse. After only 8 dates and a long-distance courtship of 9 months, the couple married. They lived in Colorado and Iowa City and then they moved to Los Angeles for his job as a Program Manager at Marshall Laboratories. The adventurous couple had 4 sons in quick succession, and then moved across the country to Durham to take a job as Associate Director of the Space Science Center at University of New Hampshire. He held various program management positions at UNH from 1967-1981. Upon leaving UNH he started several entrepreneurial ventures, including a survival kit called the Boony Box that his kids assembled at home, and they were sold nationally by LL Bean. He also involved his family in real estate ventures where he invested and renovated apartment buildings.
Throughout all their years together Pete and Ellen made and nurtured friendships all across the country. They would think nothing of driving to North Carolina to visit with Ellen’s nursing friends or cross country for Pete’s annual anniversaries of the airman’s group. He shared his love of nature with his 4 sons and encouraged a sense of awe as well as self-sufficiency and confidence in themselves. He had full faith in their capabilities as proven by their multi-day canoe camping trips through the lakes of Algonquin Park, mentored by their good friend Dr. Kase. Pete was a man of faith, courage and perseverance.
A great sadness in their lives was the loss of their son Michael Leo Chinburg, who died while in service as an F-16 fighter pilot, just days prior to the first Gulf War. Despite their deep grief, they held their faith in God and family. Pete was always an active and involved father and grandfather, teaching his 11 grandchildren the same values that he himself embodied. Pete was a true gentleman and was known for his dry wit, often sharing quiet and insightful quips that made his family chuckle for days.
Pete will forever be remembered as a gentleman who adored his wife and loved his family, friends and country. He continued to have weekly breakfast with his local veteran’s group in Durham until just recently. He was a long-term Rotarian. He excelled in many things and shared his knowledge of guns and marksmanship generously with law enforcement professionals and friends, always emphasizing safety and responsibility.
Along with his son Michael, Pete was predeceased by his parents, Opal and Leo, his sister Sara Lou, and his brother John. He is survived by his wife Ellen of 65 years, his son Steve and his wife Joanne of Barrington, his son Eric and his wife Jen of Exeter, and his son Jon of Durham. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren Noah (and his wife Leslie), Eli (and his wife Ali) and Daisy, Lars, Elsa, Peter, Luke, Riley, Shane, Caleb and Josie. He is also survived by 3 great grandchildren Matthew, Isla and Bowden, as well as so many friends who will be forever grateful for having known him. A celebration of life will take place in June.
• The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Pete’s memory to the Hyder Family Hospice House, 285 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820