Dale Ray Rapp

Dale Ray Rapp 87, of Duluth, MN, died Sunday June 27, 2021, at Essentia Health Miller-Dwan Hospital Duluth, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Dale was born in Duluth, Minnesota, September 6, 1933  to George and Gladys Rapp, the third of four boys. He was raised on 43rd Avenue West, one block from Denfeld High School, where he graduated with honors. Dale went on to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, receiving B.A., M.A. and Ed.S. degrees in education. While in college, he married Carole Westman, and together they raised three children.

Dale's love for education and natural teaching ability led to a 30-year career as a math teacher-- from 1962-1992--primarily in the Duluth School District, serving many years at Washington Junior and Central Senior High Schools. Dale distinguished himself in the field of education, continually seeking to engage students and make learning fun. As proof of this, in the mid-1960's he developed the "Arithmetic Fact Kit", published by Science Research Associates (SRA). It was fun, challenging, and became the "official math kit" used by school districts throughout the United States.

He was also a strong advocate for union representation of teachers and was a life-long member of the Minnesota Federation of Teachers (MFT), serving fourteen years as Vice President. He also:

• Was the chief negotiator for the Duluth Teachers union
• Negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement between an organized teacher's union and a School District in the State of Minnesota.
• Established a non-peer evaluation program--which became the model for peer evaluation systems used across the United States.
• Was Chairman of the State of MN Board of Teaching--following appointment to the Board by Governor Rudy Perpich--serving six years.
• In April 1991 was awarded the Pennell Award--MFT's highest award--honoring outstanding contributions to education and union advocacy.

Dale's other great love was the prized family lake cabin property near Sturgeon Lake. Purchased in the late 1950's with his father and three brothers, the nearly 200 acres of land was carefully expanded (largely by hand) and maintained for 60 years by Dale and his brother Burleigh. Annual deer hunting, mushrooming and summers with the grandchildren were special highlights. Dale (and Burleigh's) ever-present focus on projects, improvements and teaching the next generation how to build, fix and maintain, are among his enduring legacies.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Edward. He is survived by his brothers George (aka Rip) of Duluth, and Burleigh (Arlene) of Duluth, son Craig (Aida) of Chicago, IL, daughter Kim (Rapp) Buncich of Duluth, son Chris (Shelly) of Sturgeon Lake, and special cousin Evelyn Hagenbrock of Kitty Hawk, NC. Grandchildren Brian, Michael, Anne, Joseph, Aaron, Bree Ann, Brandon, and Jenny. Great-grandchildren Liam, Asher, Luca and Gage, along with many other extended family members and friends in the education field and the Sturgeon Lake-Willow River area.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, from noon-3:00PM at the Buffalo House, 2590 Guss Rd. Duluth, MN 55810.

In lieu of flowers, Dale would be pleased if you donated to Animal Allies.

Cremation services provided by HAMLIN-HANSEN-KOSLOSKI FUNERAL HOME, MOOSE LAKE, MN.