Dale Hawkins Lansberry

Dale Hawkins Lansberry, 68, passed away on December 10, 2008, of cancer at his Fallbrook home. He was born December 16, 1939, in Van Nuys, CA, to Leonora and Ai Lansberry. He attended Van Nuys High School and Valley College, where he successfully competed in gymnastics and specialized in rope climbing. He also entered the Southern California boat racing scene with a wood flat-bottom boat named “Sizzler.”

In the 1960s, Dale worked for the City of Los Angeles, where he discovered his lifelong career of land surveying. Moving to Fallbrook with his family in 1973, Dale became a Licensed Land Surveyor and started his own surveying business. He surveyed many North County properties and was well respected by contractors and homeowners for his ability and desire to help them with difficult projects. He was still surveying until, and beyond, his cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2008.

Twenty years after selling “Sizzler,” Dale happened by its sister boat, “Shockwave,” rotting and for sale on a Fallbrook street corner. His passion reignited, he purchased it and spent years on its restoration. Complementing the boat is a custom-built hardwood trailer he fabricated from scratch. During the past few years he showed it locally at Hot Summer Nights and raced in vintage boat races around the west.

Dale was a very social person and enjoyed meeting new people and old friends. His thundering voice, rambunctious attitude and mischievous grin were his trademarks. At his request no services were held, as he preferred for people to remember him while participating in a favorite activity. During his brief fight with cancer, he showed remarkable grace, was thankful for the life he had led and expressed no regrets.

Dale is survived by his wife Maria Lansberry; son Chad Lansberry; daughters and sons-in law Holly and Keith DeCuir, Fallbrook, and Barbara Holder and Marco de Carvalho, Seattle, WA; brother Don Lansberry, Kaysville, UT; sister Marion Stamas, Ravenna, OH; grandchildren Connor, Max and Roxanne; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Elizabeth Hospice, 150 W. Crest St., Escondido, CA 92025.