Dale F. McKee, 86, died Sunday morning, June 26, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel.  He was born January 22, 1936, to Clyde M. and Gertrude E. (McKean) McKee in Merom, Indiana.  After family moves from Merom, he attended public school in Mulberry, Indiana, before moving to Sheridan, Indiana, prior to his high school senior year.  He was graduated from Sheridan High School in 1954.

He thereafter enrolled at Indiana State College (now Indiana State University) where he earned a baccalaureate degree in education in 1957.  He later earned a M.A. degree at ISU in 1960.  He was conferred an Ed.D. Degree by Indiana University in 1975.  He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

He met Nancy Jane Lehr while growing up in Mulberry.  Their first date occurred on Dale’s 16th birthday and they were together thereafter, dating as each completed high school and pursued college education.  They were married on September 8, 1956.  They had been married more than 62 years when Nancy died on January 2, 2019.

Dale’s professional career began as a teacher and coach at Jefferson High School near Frankfort, Indiana, in 1957.  He accepted a teaching and coaching position at Sheridan for the 1961-62 school year and then started a brief career in school administration at Carlisle (IN) High School in 1962.  He then accepted the high school principal appointment at Rockville (IN) High School from 1963 to 1965.

On July 1, 1965, Dale began a 33-year career at Indiana State, first as assistant alumni director and then assuming duties as Director of Alumni Affairs in 1966 and remaining in that position until 1981.  He then became the Executive Director of the Indiana State University Foundation (later, Executive Vice President of the Foundation and Acting Vice President for University Advancement) where he served the university until retirement effective in June 1998.

Dale and Nancy lived in Terre Haute for nearly 50 years.  Among Dale’s community activities were service on the boards of United Way of the Wabash Valley, Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, Hospice of the Wabash Valley, and the Wabash Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America.  He joined the Rotary Club of Terre Haute in 1965 (later honored with status as an honorary life member) and served in leadership capacities throughout that affiliation, including service as Club President in 1983-84, Club Secretary, and District Governor of District 6580 in 1989-90.  He was honored multiple times as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Dale and Nancy were longtime members of Central Presbyterian Church where Dale served as an elder, deacon, and trustee.  After moving to Carmel, Indiana, in 2015, they joined Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis.

Dale’s long career at ISU was a source of pride and recognition.  Both Dale and Nancy were honored with the University Medallion for Exceptional Service and Dedication in 1997 and served as homecoming grand marshals in 1998.  Dale’s dedication to the university and its annual fund-raising efforts was recognized in 2019 when the ISU Foundation established the Dale McKee Society, a recognition for donors who make recurring annual gifts to the University.

In 2010, Dale and Nancy established the McKee Nursing Center on the ISU campus as a resource for nursing students in recognition of Nancy’s long ISU career in nursing education.  They established the Nancy and Dale McKee Family Scholarship for ISU students in 2006.  Dale and his family made additional gifts to Indiana State in 2021 to support the university’s President’s Scholars program.  The McKee Family Heritage Lounge at Tirey Hall was renamed to honor their support.

After retirement in 1998, Dale and Nancy lived at Sun Lakes, AZ, during the winter months and traveled extensively throughout the United States with focus on presidential libraries and national parks.

Survivors are a son, Craig M. McKee, and his wife, Diann E. McKee, of Terre Haute; a daughter, Elizabeth A. McKee, of Carmel; and a son, Christopher J. McKee, of Carmel.

A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis.  The Rev. Brian Shivers will officiate.  Family members will greet friends and guests in the church’s parlor from 9 a.m. until the service begins.  To view a livestream of the service please click here.  The family also will greet friends and guests from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2022, at the McKee Family Heritage Lounge, Tirey Hall, 220 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, on the ISU campus.  A private inurnment at Second Presbyterian Church will be conducted at a later date.

The family encourages friends to consider supporting the important work of Indiana State University in lieu of sending flowers.  Gifts in memory of Dale will support the McKee Family Scholarship, the proceeds of which support higher education opportunities for non-freshman undergraduate students, and may be sent to:  Indiana State University Foundation, 30 N. 5th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47809 (or online at www.indstate.edu/give)

Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.  Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner Buchanan – Carmel.