David Dale Schoepflin, 82, of rural Burlington, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Dale was born on November 7, 1935, at Lebo, Kansas, the son of Maurice Dale and Opal A. (Rogers) Schoepflin.  He grew up in the Lebo and Emporia areas, and graduated from Saffordville High School in 1953.  He then joined the US Navy, serving for 15 years of active duty, as well as a few years as a reservist.  Dale was a submariner and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

On December 21, 1971, he was united in marriage to Louise Dorothy Boisvert at Emporia.

After his military service, Dale worked in electrical engineering for a number of large firms and followed his curiosity to a number of projects and places.  In 1984, he and Louise settled in Ellinwood, Kansas, where he worked an engineering truck with Dresser Atlas Oil. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood, and had recently had moved to the Burlington area to be nearer to family.

Dale had a love of knowledge and writing.  He was an author, with published books on subjects ranging from a history of the Cold War submarines, to poetry, to character study.

Dale is survived by his wife of 46 years, Louise Schoepflin;  eight children – Cathline (Don) Willman of Topeka, Anne (Mike) Zagranis of New Hampshire, Dale A. (Teresa) Schoepflin of Oklahoma, Scott (Trish) Schoepflin of Oklahoma, Carrie (Dan) Pate of Macksville, Kristin Lynn (Tim Decker) Smith of rural Burlington, Clayton (Ruth) Schoepflin of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and David E. (Dorthea) Schoepflin of Oklahoma; 24 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Inurnment services with military honors will be at a later date in the Danish Cemetery, Melvern, Kansas.