WILLIAMSBURG — Leonard Joseph “Len” Dalzell, 90, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 28, 2020, following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Len was a longtime resident of Williamsburg following his career in the U.S. Air Force.
Len was born May 15, 1930, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to James and Josephine Dalzell, the youngest of seven children who grew up on the family farm near Walhalla.
He received a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and master’s degree from the University of North Dakota. Upon graduating from college, Len received his commission into the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and retired in 1981 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served in the Vietnam War, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. His career included tours of duty in Texas, England, Alabama, North Dakota and Taiwan before concluding at Langley Air Force Base. He was also awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
He was a devout Roman Catholic and was an active member of Saint Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg. Len was an avid golfer who was active for many years at Kingsmill. He owned and operated a vending machine business after he retired from the service and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Minnesota Vikings, who could probably hear him cheering all the way from Virginia. He loved to play pinochle, bridge and solitaire.
Len is survived by his children, Scott Dalzell (Marcia Wilds) of Charlottesville, Susan Caldwell of Glen Allen, Dana Dalzell of Yorktown, Jodie Dalzell of Williamsburg and Jules Dalzell of Manakin-Sabot; and grandchildren, Timothy Dalzell of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Hayley Littrell of Williamsburg.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Janice “Jan” Dalzell; grandson, Marc Dalzell; and all of his siblings.
A memorial Mass will be held at Saint Bede Catholic Church at a date to be determined. Len’s body will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery next to his beloved wife Jan.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions for Alzheimer’s disease research.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
