Dale Greenwood

Dale William Greenwood passed away on August 30, 2024, after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Born on September 13, 1951, in American Fork, Utah, to Harold and Joy Bennett Greenwood, Dale was a spirited child with a deep love for adventure and nature. He attended American Fork High School, where he served as a student body officer and was always proud to be a Caveman.

After high school, Dale joined the Utah National Guard and completed basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Following his training, he attended Utah State University on a full scholarship, graduating with honors. He then pursued a medical degree at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago in 1972, also on a military scholarship. While in Chicago, Dale solidified a lifelong love for the Chicago Cubs, a passion he passed down to his family.

In June 1973, Dale married his college sweetheart, Sharon Marie Olsen, in the Logan, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They lived in the Chicago area for five years while Dale completed medical school and a residency in Internal Medicine. Their first daughter, Amy, was born in 1976, and Dale embraced fatherhood with great pride and joy.

In 1978, the family moved to Ft. Stewart, Georgia, where Dale served with the Army Medical Corps for three years. He later switched branches to the Navy Reserves, deeply committed to serving his country. In 2005, Dale completed a ten-month tour of combat duty in Iraq as part of “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” earning military honors from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. In 2006, he was named “Outstanding Naval Reserve Officer” for the State of Utah. Dale retired as a Naval Captain in 2013.

After his military service in Georgia, Dale returned to American Fork in 1981 and established an Internal Medicine practice at the newly built hospital. He became the director of the Intensive Care and Cardiac Care Units, in addition to running his private practice. In 1989, he transferred to working as a full-time emergency room physician, a role he held until his retirement. Dale also served terms as American Fork Hospital Chief of Staff and Emergency Department Director during his career. His compassion and dedication to helping others were evident to all who knew him, as he healed people physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Dale’s second daughter, Elise, was born in American Fork in 1982, and his third daughter, Jill, completed the family in 1987. Dale cherished his daughters and loved taking them on countless adventures, which he called “splores.” He encouraged their education, love of nature, and musical talents. Running was a special bond they shared, and Dale was a constant supporter of their cross country and track endeavors. He ran numerous 5k races, eventually working his way up to marathons, completing 25 in total. A highlight of his running career was participating in the Boston Marathon alongside all three of his daughters. Dale continued this running tradition with his grandchildren. His family was his world.

Dale was a dedicated humanitarian. He led his scout group on a mission to Mexico to build a medical clinic for the Tarahumara Indians and later participated in two humanitarian projects in Laos with the Aloha Medical Mission. He also served aboard the U.S. Naval Hospital Ship Mercy in a joint venture with the Navy and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout Southeast Asia. These experiences were profoundly rewarding as he witnessed the poverty and suffering of those he served, bringing healing and hope to many.

A man of deep faith, Dale’s greatest passion was working with young men in his church, a calling he fulfilled for over thirty years. He also served on the Stake High Council and as Bishop of the American Fork 32nd Ward, where he developed a deep love for his congregation. In 2013, Dale and Sharon served as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, assigned as Europe Area Medical Advisors based in Frankfurt, Germany. This experience was a highlight of their lives, allowing Dale to oversee the medical care of Church missionaries throughout Europe.

Dale is survived by his wife, Sharon, his children Amy (Chris) Merkley, Elise (Cameron) Bahr, and Jill (Grant) Ensign, as well as nine grandchildren—Will and Jake Merkley, Grady, Damon, Cassandra, and Mirielle Bahr, and Jane, Bennett, and Kate Ensign. He is also survived by his siblings Jay (Marilyn) Greenwood and Jean (Gary) Carlton. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 12:00 pm at the American Fork 32nd Ward, 270 North 900 East, American Fork. A viewing will be held on Friday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 am at the church. Burial will follow in the American Fork Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity in Dale’s honor.

Please click on the link below to watch Dale's services via live stream:

https://youtube.com/live/B6ujv4lS3NA?feature=share