Dale Shewalter

Who is Dale Shewalter?

Dale Richard Shewalter was an American teacher who founded and promoted the Arizona Trail in 1985.

Shewalter was born in Geneva, Illinois, on May 16, 1950. He served in the United States Marine Corps 1st Battalion, 7th Marines during the Vietnam War. Shewalter worked as a teacher for the Flagstaff Unified School District.

Shewalter, who began his career as a teacher and educator, led the effort to create the Arizona Trail, a hiking and horseback trail which now runs through most of Arizona. The Arizona Trail extends from Jacob Lake in northern Arizona south to Huachuca Mountains near the border with Mexico. A plaque stands in Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Arizona, in recognition of Shewalter's work.

Dale Shewalter died of cancer in Flagstaff, Arizona, on January 10, 2010, at the age of 59. He was survived by his wife, Madeleine Shewalter, son, Zane Shewalter and stepdaughter, Allison Hartman. His funeral was held at the Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University.