Dale Arthur Steffen

Dale Arthur Steffen left this life to be with his Savior on Monday, January 18, 2021. He was able to spend his last days in the comfort of his home and was surrounded by his family as he shook off his earthly confines and entered his heavenly home.

Dale was born the sixth and last child to Berenice Irene Brown and Harry Edward Steffen on September 14, 1942 in Denver, Colorado. Dale was raised mostly by his mother in Bennett, Colorado, where he graduated from high school. His siblings were very important in his life, growing up. They have always been a very close-knit family. He said he always thought of his oldest brother Donny as a father. He met the love of his life, Jean Gamble, at a softball game in Bennett when he was just 14 years old, and after attending and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, they married in the Bennett Baptist Church on December 12, 1963. He earned his Master's degree in physics from the University of Denver in 1967. Dale and Jean had two daughters, Christine and Amy, who blessed them with five grandchildren, Tom, Kayla, Kevin, Kyle and Nicholas.

Dale enjoyed a career as a research physicist for over 40 years. During that time, he made many contributions to the scientific community, receiving several patents on inventions on which he either collaborated or developed himself. Some of these things include a vital signs monitor, used to measure the vital signs of the astronauts while in space early in the space program, an ocular tracking device that enabled quadriplegics to communicate and become more ambulatory using their vision, and projects with the military to increase the security and safety of the country. A true "rocket scientist", he was instrumental in discovering the cause of the explosion of the Space Shuttle, Challenger, and learning how such things may be prevented in the future as well as keeping missiles from detonating while in the bay. He loved what he did and always said that he was truly blessed to have been able work in his dream job.

Most important in Dale's life was his relationship with Christ and his family. Even in his last week, Dale was giving God glory by telling people that cared for him in the hospital that he didn't need counseling to prepare to leave this life because God was his counselor. He maintained that no matter what happened, it was in God's hands and he would accept whatever was God's will. He was a humble servant and was very active in his church, accepting roles as youth director, teacher, deacon and trustee. In the last year of his life, he was still volunteering his time, tutoring kids through an organization called Whiz Kids.

As a father he was unsurpassed. He was more than a good provider; he was a playmate, a friend and confidant; a teacher, a mentor and guide. He was a true example of love, modelling what that looked like to his children and grandchildren through his kindness and generosity with his time and talents as well as his earthly possessions to so many. He was always there for his family no matter the situation or need. Because of the kind of father he was, he made it easy for his girls to understand the concept of a Heavenly Father and naturally come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at a young age.

Besides being a brilliant scientist and mathematician, Dale was very skilled with his hands and enjoyed working with wood. In fact, wood working was in his blood, having had a great grandfather on his father's side and a grandfather on his mother's side who were accomplished carpenters. His brothers are also very skilled in this art. He made a variety of tools, furniture, some beautiful cabinets, homemade toys and games, and other special items that will always be treasured by his loved ones.

Dale was preceded in death by both his parents and his wife, Jean, as well as three brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law. He is survived by siblings Dorothy, Don, Delbert, Freda and Frank, his daughter Christine and her husband Jeff Boyd, his daughter Amy and her husband Phil Sperber and grandchildren Tom, Kayla and Kevin Boyd and Kyle and Nick Sperber as well as his sisters and brother through marriage, Helen Loehr, Gayle Nielsen, Terry Gamble, Ruth Beriault and Kathie Gamble and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Services in celebration of his life will be held at a future date yet to be determined. Interment will be at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens in Aurora, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, , or Whiz Kids Tutoring by sending a check to 5500 E. Yale Ave Suite 100, Denver, CO 80222. Visit for more information.

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