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| Ray at Corinna and Buddha's wedding, June, 2004. |
CLICK HERE for Obituary by Dondi Dahlin
Palomar College and San Diego Mourns the Passing
of Dr. Raymond Dahlin
Poway, California
Dr. Raymond Donald Dahlin, a Korean War veteran and a San Diego resident for more than fifty years, passed away
quietly and peacefully in his Poway home last weekend on July, 16. He was 73 years old.
Dr. Dahlin taught at SDSU for twenty years and retired from Palomar College in San Marcos after thirty years of significant
contributions to both the college and the San Diego community. Dr. Dahlin was
the current President of George Steven’s Youth Foundation.
At Palomar College, Dr. Dahlin was head of the Speech and Theatre Department where he won
four national speech/debate championships, hundreds of awards and was frequently featured in the media. During his professional life at Palomar College, he introduced curricular programs of radio, television,
cinema and pre-legal. His popular annual theatre production of the Nutcracker
featuring the New West Ballet Theatre of San Marcos played to sold-out audiences for more than ten years and
was a major fundraiser for the college.
Just this week, Palomar College announced that they will be naming an annual award after
Dr. Dahlin, The Ray Dahlin Most Inspirational Coach of the Year Award. This
will be presented at his memorial service to be held at Palomar College on August 29.
Upon
hearing the news, Former Councilman and Deputy Mayor George Stevens says, “Ray and I have been close friends since 1956.
Through college and as President of the George Steven’s Youth Foundation for more than ten years, he always gave financial
support that came from the depths of his heart. Ray was always very, very
close to my family and I have known his two daughters since they were born. Their mother was also a close friend. We loved
him and he will be very, very missed, but certainly never forgotten and his contributions to San Diego and youth will continue
for many years.”
The life and times of Dr. Dahlin
were legendary. He was so much “bigger than life’ and his contributions and spirit will undoubtedly continue. Dr. Dahlin grew up in East Chicago, Indiana and attended Washington High School where
he was Student Body President for both his Junior and Senior years. Later he competed in speech and became close friends with
actor, James Dean. Friends during his life included Angie Dickinson, Burt Bacharach,
Frankie Lane, Councilman George Stevens, renowned basketball coach Bobbie Knight and many others. His close Chicago friends included many politicians that ranged from councilman to mayors.
Upon the news of his passing, Angie Dickinson said, “I adored Ray, knowing him for more than thirty years.
He was one of the funniest, kindest men I’ve ever known and was a great father and wonderful teacher. And for
all those years he never missed sending Mother’s Day, Birthday and Valentine’s Day cards.”
Dr. Dahlin’s Chicago family history is documented in many historical documents and
books that included information of having close relationships with John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and many others. Dr. Dahlin was one of the few people who knew the hidden location of Dillinger’s
guns.
Dr. Dahlin’s family life included a marriage to holistic health pioneer, Donna Eden,
and is survived by his two daughters, Tanya and Dondi in California and his brother Carl and sister Doris in East Chicago,
Indiana.
Dr. Dahlin’s National Honors include:
- Being read into the congressional record by U.S Congressmen
Chair Burgener in 1978
- National Service award at the U.S. national championship
tournament at St. Paul Minnesota
- Coach of the decade at Governor’s Cup tournament,
Sacramento, 1976
- Continued Excellence in Forensics at Governors cup Tournament,
Sacramento, in 1985 and 1986
- Award of Merit, U.S. National Speech Tournament, Kansas
City, Missouri, 1980
- Excellence in Forensics, Biola Univeristy, La Mirada, 1986
- Outstanding Faculty Award, Associated Students of Palomar
College, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1987
- Outstanding Educators of America, 1972, 1974, 1975
- U.S. National Forensics Championships, University of Michigan
1970, Chicago 1976, Sacramento 1978, Florida 1996
- National Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Texas,
Austin, Texas, 1989
- Outstanding Faculty LDSSA, Palomar College, 1993
- National Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Texas,
Austin, Texas, 1997
- Director of U.S. Phi Ro Pi National Debate and Individual
Events Tournament
Dr. Dahlin’s Local Honors include:
- Current President of the Youth Foundation for councilman, George Stevens
- Produced 1950’s television show, Teens-n-Twenties for San Diego
- Produced his own narrative record album on the history of San Diego
- Director of Forensics, San Diego State University
- Director of Forensics, Palomar College
- Department Chairperson for the following departments
(1967-1990, Palomar College) -Speech, Theater, Dance, Radio Cinema, Television,
Forensics, American Sign Language, Speech Audiology/Pathology
Certifications of Recognition
from State Representatives:
- Honorable William Craven, State Senator
- Honorable Robert Frazee, Assemblyman
- Honorable William Bradley, Assemblyman
- Honorable Sunny Mojonnier, Assemblywoman
- Honorable Ron Packard, U.S. house of Representatives
- Honorable Clair Burgener, U.S. House of Representatives
- Honorable James Bates, U.S. House of Representatives
Certificates of Appreciation:
- San Diego Rotatry
- Exchange Club, San Diego
- Vista High-Twelve Club
- Solamar Toastmistress Club
- Optimist International
- Lions International
- Kiwanis, Lake San Marcos
- Award citation, Veterans of Foreign Wars
- National University certificate of leadership
- Kiwanis Escondido, California
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