PENDRY, Charles D. (1918-2011)

PENDRY

Posted By: Bobbie (email)
Date: 5/26/2011 at 05:34:31

CHARLES "DALE" PENDRY

Rural Hartford

Charles Dale Pendry, of rural Hartford, Iowa, died at home on May 15, 2011 at the age of 93 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Known throughout his life as Dale, he was preceded in death by his parents, James Alexander Pendry and Cora (Shutt) Pendry, his brother Robert Pendry, his sister Agnes (Pendry) Sollars, and his niece Roberta (Sollars) Spurgin. Maxine Jean Pendry, his wife of 59 years, also preceded him in death in 1999. He is survived by his sons, Steve (Patricia) Pendry of Ames and Alec (Charlton) Pendry of Fort Dodge; grandsons, Bill Pendry of Cedar Falls and John (Mendy) Pendry of Ames; great grandson Adam Pendry of Ames. He is also survived by a host of family and friends.

Dale was born on April 10, 1918 on the family farm between Hartford and Swan. The family moved to Hartford when he was five and he graduated from Hartford High School in 1935, in a class of five. After attending Iowa State College and AIB, each for a year, he married Maxine Richards, also of rural Hartford, and moved to his boyhood home in 1940 to begin farming—beginning with horse drawn equipment. The operation included dairy, livestock and row crops; and he was a good steward of the soil. Their sons were born in 1944 and 1948, and they enjoyed a rewarding life in the Hartford community. After working as a photo oil colorist, Maxine became a successful portrait artist and art instructor. Dale was a farm owner/operator until 1966, when he became a landlord/partner. In 1972, he turned operation of the farm over to his nephew, Jim Richards. It has been a very productive relationship to the present day. The farm, owned by the Pendry family for over 135 years, was declared a Century Farm in 1976.

Inspired by Lindbergh and others, Dale was fascinated by aviation from an early age; he earned his private pilot's license and bought a Piper Cub. For many years, a landing strip and hangar were maintained on the farm. He served as a Boy Scout leader, school board member, and director of the Hartford-Carlisle Savings Bank.

He was very active in the Community United Presbyterian Church in Hartford throughout his life, serving as an elder and in many other roles. In 1995 Dale was honored as a 50 year member of the Hartford Masonic Lodge #83 AF & AM, where he was a Master Mason and served as Worshipful Master in 1951. He also served as treasurer and Tyler. Dale and Maxine were members of Friendship Force and traveled extensively over the years, developing enduring friendships in England, Ireland, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. Dale also traveled to the Soviet Union representing Iowa farmers. Over several decades, the Pendry family joined in the annual vacation trek to Cutaway Lake in northern Minnesota. After Maxine's passing, Dale enjoyed returning there with his sons' families in recent years.

He had a keen sense of adventure. Well after his 85th birthday, he traveled to New Zealand, went on an Alaska cruise, and jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (at age 88).

Dale's wish was to pass from this life in the room in which he was born, and that goal was realized. The family wishes to express their thanks to Dale's caregiver, Ruth Thornburg, and to his niece, Renita McGrail and her husband Dan. Their selfless dedication to his well-being has been remarkable.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. May 21 at the Community United Presbyterian Church in Hartford. Visitation with family present will be one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa (HCI) or Community United Presbyterian Church in Hartford. Burial of cremains will be held at a later date in the Hartford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.overtonfunerals.com .

Published in Des Moines Register on May 17, 2011