I have known Dale since we were both graduate students in the early 1990s (in different departments). He had walked into my office asking to use our department computer (high horsepower computers were expensive and a rarity then and we had one of those on my desk). Naturally, I was galled that a perfect stranger would want to use OUR computer for HIS work. Since he had come back to graduate school after years of experience under his belt, he was more mature than I was. I reluctantly set him an account on the machine. But over time, we bonded over common interests.
I was struck by his sharp intellect, though he was always modest about it. He was kind, warm and generous with his time and knowledge. Soon enough we became friends but more importantly, he became a mentor.
Over the years he taught me many things, such as knowing what one did not know, to keep asking why and being persistent in the pursuit of knowledge. He could certainly be intimidating when he was asking questions (or in the dojo) and did not suffer fools gladly. I am still thoroughly impressed that he took the germ of an idea/ computational method and through hard work made it into a global company in the field.
It has been my privilege and honor to have had him as a friend and mentor.