Dr. Harold Dale Spaulding

Harold Dale Spaulding, known to most simply as Dale, lived a life of faith, family, service, and love. Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Dale was the son of the late Mary Helena Allen Spaulding and Harold Francis Spaulding.

Dale had a way of turning strangers into friends. He had a way of connecting with people. In one breath, he would joke, tease, or tell a funny story, and in the next, he would offer encouragement, wisdom, or help. His friendships were not casual to him; they were deeply meaningful to him, a form of love, a form of service, and one of the ways he honored God.

Dale proudly served as a United States Marine, retiring as a captain. The Marine Corps deepened virtues already present in him: discipline, loyalty, and duty. He lived his life representing those qualities as a husband, father, grandfather, educator, parishioner, and friend.

Dale’s life was rooted in the Catholic Church. He gave much of himself through church life, serving as a lector, a member of parish council, and an extraordinary minister. His faith was evident in his devotion to his wife, Mary, his love for his children and grandchildren, and his loyalty to friends.

Dale graduated from Tyrone High School in 1957. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville State College, his master’s degree in education from Seton Hall University, and his doctorate in education from Penn State University. Education was one of his greatest passions. He believed in the potential of young people, in schools, in teachers, and in the importance of education to shape lives.

For many years, Dale served as a teacher, coach, principal, and educational leader. He served as the principal of Lampeter-Strasburg High School for 24 years, was principal at Lyons Junior-Senior High School in Lyons, New York, and taught and coached at Hanover Park High School in Hanover, New Jersey. He also served as an adjunct instructor at Penn State University for many years.

Dale’s professional accomplishments were significant and notable. He was active in state and national educational organizations, including serving as President of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In this role he traveled extensively, connecting with educators across the country and around the world, and forming lifelong friendships.

His work was recognized through honors including Phi Delta Kappa Distinguished Chapter President, Pennsylvania Principal of the Year, and Distinguished Alumnus of Penn State University.

His service extended to his local community, as well. Dale was a member of the Strasburg Lions Club, served on the Strasburg Borough Council, volunteered with United Way, and gave of his time and leadership in many other ways. For Dale, service was a way of living.

Above all, Dale loved his family.

He was the beloved husband of Mary Waters Spaulding, whose love and companionship were central to his life. He was a devoted father to Cynthia Spaulding Baxter (wife of John), Melissa Spaulding Bliss (wife of Brian), and Gregory Spaulding (husband of Noelle). He was a proud grandfather to Lauren (Ben), Andrew, Dylan, Kyle, Kelsey, Austin, and Sophie. His family knew the depth of his love not only in words, but in his constant presence. He attended countless athletic games, activities, milestones, vacations, celebrations, and ordinary daily moments with his family.

Annual family vacations, especially to Myrtle Beach, became part of his family story. Those trips were filled with “Pop-Pop’s” jokes, stories, and playfulness. He delighted in his grandchildren and took much joy in what they were doing and who they were becoming. His legacy lives on in each of them—in the memories they have, the stories they remember, and the love they will pass on.

Dale was preceded in death by his siblings Richard Lee Spaulding, Patricia McDermott, Rita Cowher, and Deskin Spaulding. He is survived by his sister Victoria Aults (wife of Brad), as well as by his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends, colleagues, former students, parishioners, and community members whose lives were touched by his presence.

Dale’s impact cannot be measured only in dates, degrees, titles, or honors, though he had many. It is best measured in the students he encouraged, the teachers he guided, the family he built, the grandchildren he cheered on, the prayers he offered, the jokes he told, the friendships he treasured, the community he served, and the quiet faith of his day-to-day life.

Friends may visit with his family on Monday, June 22, 2026 from 6-9PM at the Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 10AM at Historic S. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 S, Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603. Interment will be at a later date in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his memory to Historic St Mary’s Catholic Church at the above address or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, Three Bala Plaza West, Suite 700, 251 St. Ansaphs Rd., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.