Dr. Robert E. Dalton

Dr. Robert E. Dalton joined his beloved wife Clela M. Dalton in heaven on Saturday, June 20th, 2015. He was surrounded by his children, Beth Dalton Ketzer, Cincinnati, Ohio; Bobbi Dalton Templet, LaGrange, Kentucky; Robert Birch Dalton, Westfield, Indiana, as he succumbed to his battle with cancer. He is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was born in Waukegan, Illinois on February 6, 1929, to the late Charles and Ernestine Dalton. He grew up in the Clay City area.

Dr. Dalton is well known in the educational arena in the state of Indiana. After graduating in 1951 with his teaching degree from Indiana State Teachers College, he taught fifth grade in Lafayette, Indiana. It was there he met his wife of fifty-one years, Clela. He also became father to her two children, John “Jack” Lambuth and Roselyn Rae Lambuth Toothaker. He served as a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War. From that day forward, he would always be known for his sharply maintained flattop haircut and shiny Cordovan shoes. Dalton earned his Masters and Principal’s certification in 1959, and the growing family moved to Elkhart, Indiana as he served as principal for three years in the Concord school district. Dalton returned to Purdue University to pursue his PhD and earn his superintendent certification. In 1964, Dr. Lowell Rose was searching for an upcoming candidate to serve as his assistant superintendent for the Kokomo Consolidated School Corporations. After serving as Rose’s assistant for three years, Dalton was selected to replace Rose as superintendent.

Under Dalton’s eighteen years of guidance, the Kokomo schools became one of the most respected in the state. In 1985, Dalton was chosen by Dean Evans, then Superintendent of Instruction, to serve as Deputy Superintendent for the state of Indiana. In this position Dalton fought diligently to maintain the educational system of Indiana at a high standard and to provide every child a strong education. He served his state for ten years in this position, and retired in 1995 to travel with and care for his wife. He continued as a strong advocate for education in Indiana through his work with various organizations.

His family invites all who were touched by Robert to join in a celebration of his life. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2015, in the chapel at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville and from 12 to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 27, 2015. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Kokomo Schools Educational Foundation. Donation forms can be find through the foundation’s website. http://www.kokomoschools.com/domain/207.

Serenity Prayer: God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the differences.