Placitas, NM – Dale John Randorf, age 89, of Placitas, New Mexico, died Sunday morning, November 12, 2023 at Advantage Senior Living in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Born May 21, 1934 in a farm outside of Thief River Falls, he was the son of the late Roy Mathais Randorf and Mina (Minnie) Louisa Randorf.
Dale graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering on June 3, 1956 and became an Aerospace Engineer for Lockheed and Honeywell.
While at Honeywell, Dale Randorf worked on the SR-71 Blackbird aircraft at Area 51 Groom Lake Nevada in the 1960s. Prior to Honeywell, Dale worked for Chrysler developing a turbine-powered automobile.
Dale was a former US Air Force Reserve Officer.
He retired to Placitas, New Mexico, where he became a 30-year resident, living in the home he designed and built with his wife Ann.
Dale was preceeded in death by his parents, Roy and Minnie Randorf; his wife, Ann; his sister, Birdell (Paul) Wangsmo; and his brother, Robert (Audrey) Randorf.
He is survived by his brother, Gary (Betty) Randorf; and numerous nieces and nephews who were very fond of him.
Dale will be laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in New Mexico.
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