Dale Martin Steindorf

Dale Martin Steindorf was born on June 15, 1933, to Paul and Eleanor Steindorf in Walla Walla, Washington. Dale went to be with his wife, Carol, and our heavenly Father on Thursday, October 16, 2025, after a brief illness.

Dale attended first grade at the old Baker school until they moved into town, then attended Washington Elementary School and Garrison Jr. High School, and graduated in 1951 from the old Walla Walla High School. Then attended Washington State College (now University) in 1955. Dale was an active athlete while at WSC on the gymnastics team, and he was most proud of playing baseball for the Cougs! Dale loved being a Cougar athlete and graduate. He received his Master’s of Fine Arts in 1983.

Dale married Carol Jean Zier on August 12, 1955. He then enlisted in the Army in October of that year to fulfill his military obligation and avoid being drafted later. Returned from service and resumed working on the railroad. Then, as they reduced the working force, Dale was laid off. He then went to work for J.C. Penney’s in 1959 in the shoe department. While there, the superintendent from Issaquah, Washington, came in and offered him a job teaching Art. He did not have his teaching certificate at the time, so he left J.C. Penney to return to WSC and earn his teaching certificate.

He was then hired to teach in Wenatchee and taught there for one year. He then applied to teach in Walla Walla in 1960. He was hired and assigned to teach Art at Garrison Jr. High School. He taught there for 14 years and coached football there as well. He then moved to Walla Walla High School in 1974, where he taught Art and coached baseball. He became the head baseball coach from 1980 to 1982. He retired from teaching in 1999. He had 40 years of teaching upon retirement.

He was passionate about teaching Art. He felt the Arts were very important and needed to be implemented more in the schools. He then started teaching Pottery as a part of the Art program, and it really took off. The students loved it. One day, a former student stopped by and showed him how to make bigger pottery called the “Piece Pots”. The next thing that he wanted to do was to develop good glazes.

On September 15, 1963, Carol and Dale welcomed their only son, Gregory Scott Steindorf. They were both very proud of being his parents.

Dale is survived by his son, Gregory Scott Steindorf (Lannette), Walla Walla, WA; his brother, Wallace Steindorf, State College, Pennsylvania; his sister-in-law, Evelyn Schmidt, Walla Walla, WA; granddaughter, Michelle Hansen, Spokane WA; grandson, Matthew Steindorf, Walla Walla, WA; great-granddaughter, Ella Steindorf and great-grandson, Hudson Hansen, both of Spokane, WA; step-grandchildren, Michael Stewart and Alexis Morfin (Juan), all of Kennewick, WA. Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Jean (Zier) Steindorf; his parents, Paul and Eleanor Steindorf; brother, Donald Steindorf; and nephew, Jeff Steindorf.

Dale will be deeply missed every day, but he is now reunited with the love of his life, Carol. May they soar together for eternity.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.