Peter Allan Dale

Born in San Diego, Peter enjoyed an unconventional and accomplished life. A child of an Army intelligence officer, Peter spent many formative years in Tehran, Iran and Cairo, Egypt where he captained his high school basketball team and climbed the great pyramids.

In 1961, Peter left Cairo to attend Dartmouth College where he excelled academically, ran track, and was in the Reserve Officer Training Program. It was during his sophomore year that he spotted Evelyn Godfrey (sister of college friend, Richard Godfrey). Peter and Evelyn soon became inseparable.

In 1965, Peter graduated from Dartmouth, married Evelyn, and began graduate work at Columbia University where he earned a master’s degree. In 1966 Peter shifted gears serving as an Army Military Intelligence Officer at the Pentagon in Middle East Affairs, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant, and receiving the Army Commendation Medal from the Secretary of the Army.

In 1967, Peter and Evelyn welcomed daughter, Nicole (Niki) Elizabeth. Two years later, Peter was discharged from active duty and the family moved to England where Peter earned a master’s degree in literature from the University of Keele and a PhD from University of Cambridge at Clare College.

In 1974, Peter began his career at Harvard University, teaching and researching English Literature with an emphasis on Charles Dickens and Victorian studies and serving as Adams House Senior Tutor where his calm demeanor and quick wit helped settle nerves and resolve differences.

The family welcomed son, Christopher (Chris) Allan in 1975, and in 1980 Peter accepted a position in UC Davis’s English department. Peter was a tireless advocate for students, championing the importance of teaching and mentoring above all else. Peter also served as Chair of the English Department and then Dean and Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies.

In 2000, he returned to the English Department to teach until retiring in 2007 when he embarked on a new chapter as an Emeritus professor, sharing his longtime love of mystery novels by teaching British Detective Fiction seminars.

Peter and Evelyn enjoyed travel, visiting almost every country in Europe, with many return visits to their favorite country, Italy.

Peter loved the 10 dogs he and Evelyn adopted over the years. We are profoundly grateful to Kaiser nursing staff who allowed beloved family dog, Duchess, to visit Peter and provide unconditional love and comfort before he passed.

Peter leaves behind his loving wife, Evelyn, the light of his life, and beloved companion for over 63 years, daughter Nicole Dale Slaton, son-in-law Jeff Slaton, son Christopher Dale, daughter-in-law Sarah Bashford, grandchildren, Theo and Miles Dale, and dog Duchess. He is also survived by sisters Jennifer (Jackson) Eaton and Candy (Jim Schine) Dale, sister-in-law Virginia Hartland, brother-in-law Richard (Joyce) Godfrey, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Allan and Janet Dale and brother-in-law Bill Hartland. A celebration of Peter’s life will be held this summer in Hanover, New Hampshire.