Dale Owen Barnes

Dale Owen Barnes, aged 90, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2023, in Bogotá, Colombia, surrounded by his family. Born on August 6, 1932, in Wenatchee, Washington, he was the beloved son of Mabel Carrie Leonard and Lee Dewey Barnes.

In 1938, Dale began his education at Rock Island Elementary School in Wenatchee, WA. After relocating to Seattle in 1939, he graduated from Garfield High School. His teenage years were challenging, marked by long hours of hard work in a bakery after school. He spent his afternoons and evenings washing bake pans and cleaning the bakery to help support his single mother. Growing up during the Great Depression, Dale faced significant hardships, but his perseverance and dedication during these tough times shaped his character and work ethic.

At the age of 19, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and bravely served in the Korean War until XX. His courage and dedication earned him numerous awards and medals, each reflecting his exceptional service and bravery. He was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded in action, the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable military service during a national emergency, and the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars for participating in major combat operations. He also received the Combat Infantryman Badge for engaging in active ground combat, the United Nations Service Medal for his participation in the defense of Korea, and the Army Commendation Medal for his meritorious service and acts of heroism.

Despite his commendable service, Dale faced a lifelong battle with PTSD, a consequence of the traumatic experiences he endured during the war. His strength and resilience in coping with this condition were a testament to his character, and he remained a dedicated husband, father, and friend throughout his life.

Dale had a profound sense of adventure and dedication to service. Working for the U.S. State Department took him to Mozambique, Africa, and he spent many years traveling across Latin America with the Peace Corps, an organization that promotes world peace and friendship by helping people in need and fostering a better understanding of Americans. 

Dale’s work with the Peace Corps involved collaborating with local communities to develop sustainable solutions to pressing issues. He focused particularly on education. His efforts to work with families, especially to improve the lives of children, reflected his deep commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

In the late 1960s, Dale’s journey took him to Bogotá, where he served as the director for the Foster Parents Plan (Plan Padrinos). There, he met Cecilia, and they married in September 1973.

Dale worked as an English teacher and cultivated an immeasurable passion for building ship models from scrap wood and popsicle sticks. He knew everything about ships, galleons, caravels, and schooners. His knowledge expanded by reading every book he could get his hands on. This love for ship models grew more and more every day and all of this began when he read the stories of Captain Cook and his travels to the South Pacific. One of his favorite books was *The Bounty*, which provides a riveting account of the infamous mutiny on the HMS Bounty led by Fletcher Christian against Captain William Bligh. Dale was mesmerized by life at sea in the 18th century and the beauty of these vessels.

In 1974, Dale moved to Facatativá, a small town near Bogotá, where he built a house and created a home for his wife and two children. Life during this period was not easy for him, as he constantly worked to adapt to a different culture. As a foreigner, adjusting to a new culture was always challenging; the language barrier, unfamiliar customs, and a different way of life often made daily activities difficult. Despite his efforts to integrate, Dale frequently felt the strain of being an outsider. After ten years, Dale and his family returned to Bogotá.

Dale adored his mother, he frequently visited her in Seattle, and during one of these visits in the mid-80s, he took on temporary summer positions at the Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks, where he returned to work every summer for nearly ten years. It was here that he formed lasting friendships with Arnie and Mary Anderson.

Throughout his life, Dale had a deep fascination with flags, frequently gifting desk flags to many friends. In the 1990s, he came across an American flag from his service in Korea, a flag featuring only 48 stars. This cherished flag was flown every 4th of July in a town near Seattle by his dear friends, the Andersons, and it was also draped over his coffin at his funeral on August 1, 2024. To honor his memory and celebrate what would have been his 91st birthday, the flag was raised to be flown alongside the city and state flags in downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL, a few days after his funeral.

Upon retiring in Bogotá, Dale dedicated his time to his hobbies of ship modeling and art framing. He loved to walk the city. Many days you could find him walking the streets, meeting new people, looking for more popsicle sticks to be used in new ship models, and always stopping to chat with strangers and share a good cup of coffee (tinto). He found great joy in these pursuits and in spending time with his wife Cecilia,  who he loved dearly, and his two grandchildren.

Dale is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Cecilia Gómez de Barnes; his son Carlos Christian (Brad Barnes); his daughter Kerry Katherine; his two grandchildren, Valentina Barnes and Simon Barnes; and his sister, Lea Jane Boyle, loving uncle to Erin Boyle Bloomenfeld, Jayne Boyle Altaffer, and Anne Boyle Mendenhall, and many nephews and nieces in Bogotá.

He dedicated his life to his wife and two children, to helping others with boundless generosity, a huge sense of adventure, and an unending pursuit of knowledge. His love for all children and the many friendships he made along the way reflected his warm spirit. Often considering himself the luckiest guy in the world, he left a lasting legacy in the hearts of everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by all.