Chiefland, FL, Florida - Dale Roger Fugel, 86, passed away on February 11, 2026, in Trenton, FL. Dale was born in Jersey City, NJ, April 30, 1939, to Wilbur C. and Edna (Oertel) Fugel.

His family moved to Camden, ME, and he graduated from Camden High School in 1957. In 1958 Dale enlisted in the United States Army and served through 1961. His training in electronics was completed in Fort Monmouth, NJ, and Fort Wachuka, AZ. Dale was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division and won the soldier of the contest in 1960. He also served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve as commanding officer in Southwest Harbor, ME.

Dale attended Washington State Teachers College in Machias, ME, and graduated from the University of Maine earning a BS degree in biology and a MS degree in secondary administration. Dale was a 35 year educator, teacher and administrator in Bangor and Ellsworth, ME, and at Central Florida Community College in Chiefland, FL. On February 14, 1984, Dale married Paula (Lannigan) in Ellsworth, ME. After Dale's retirement in 1991 they moved to Chiefland, Suwannee, and Englewood, FL, and returned to Chiefland in 2020. They enjoyed many years of fishing in the Gulf of America with friends and family. For several years they spent summers at their Bottle Lake cabin fishing for salmon and lake trout, and hosting family and friends.

Dale is survived by his devoted wife, Paula; three children, Cynthia Kasprzak and husband, Michael, of Bangor, Kathleen Kimball of South Portland, and Garth Fugel of Dover-Foxcroft; one stepdaughter, Heather Libby and her husband, Ryan, of Chiefland, FL. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Dale will be interred at the National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers at t2t.org.