Dale Thomas Landis, 70 years young, of Lititz, passed on suddenly and peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at home. Born in Chester County, he was the son of Henry and Marian Landis of Cedar Lawn Farm, the youngest of 5 children.

He is the husband of Barbara Forrester Landis, and the beloved father of two sons, Shawn and his wife Suzanne and Chad and his partner, Nuri. Also the very proud grandfather of Cate and Erin who call him "PapaDale". He was the youngest of 5 siblings, Marian Worst Cabbott and Donald Landis – both deceased; Pat Smith, Texas and Dick Landis, Narvon, Pa.

He graduated with his Bachelor's Degree from the Food Science Department at Penn State, University Park, and spent a year in grad school at N.C. State prior to entrance into the U.S. Air Force for Officer's Candidate School and Pilot Training. Later he was stationed in Mather Air Force Base in California where he trained navigators. After a couple years he transferred and flew with the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in Harrisburg for 23 years, retiring due to medical reasons as a Lt. Col. He always maintained a tight friendship bond with his fellow pilots.

He was a Sr. Vice President of Sales for Giorgio Foods, Inc. Temple, PA for over 37 years and most proud to assist the military community.

He loved gardening, bicycling and soccer. He loved to make apple butter and sauerkraut and experiment with sourdough. His heart and smiles burst at any sight of the Blue & White. An avid PSU football and wrestling fan, he and Barbara traveled for many years to the football games in Beaver Stadium and the wrestling matches at Rec Hall. He was also a Lifetime Member of the PSU Rugby Club for which he played and remained active with this sacred brotherhood.

Ask him his greatest accomplishments and it would be his sons, Shawn and Chad.

A Celebration Service will be held on Saturday, March 19th, at 11:00 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 321 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 with The Rev. John W. Morris officiating. A visitation will be held from 10-11AM prior to the service. Military Honors will be rendered at the church. A reception will follow in the Parish social hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. John's Episcopal Church, PA Wounded Warriors4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300 Jacksonville, Florida 32256 at www.pawoundedwarriors.org, or the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank 3908 Corey Road Harrisburg, PA 17109 at www.centralpafoodbank.org.