Dale earned his BS in Physics from Carnegie-Mellon in 1972 and his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1976.

After grad school Dale spent several years making pots while working as part of a ragtag, over-educated crew repairing air-cooled Volkswagens, and the occasional corn detasseler, in Downs, IL.

Returning to Pittsburgh he and Betsy spent two decades as full-time studio artists before each being drafted to teach. In 1998 Dale was asked to join the faculty at Carlow University, where he taught 3D art and chaired the art department.

Dale's work has taken him to Japan, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan. He has been included in wide-ranging national and international exhibitions as well as books and leading periodicals from England, Germany, Ireland, Australia and the US.

Dale is now Professor Emeritus at Carlow and enjoying the time to explore paths not taken.