A Kid from Erie, PA and so Much More: In Loving Memory of Dale Eller

Saying good-bye is never easy. And when it comes to bidding an adequate farewell to someone who has been especially important, it becomes even harder. Dale Eller is one of those people who is especially important in the hearts of so many, both to his family and to the family he has nurtured within the security industry for over 40 years. 

ESA, on behalf of all the countless people who were inspired by Dale Eller and honored to know him, extends its deep condolences to Paula Eller, Dale’s loving wife of 41 years, their two children Joshua Eller and Diane Sangster, and all of his extended family. Dale passed earlier this year after a brief illness. 

Simple Beginnings 

Where do you start to summarize all the contributions that Dale selflessly made to our industry? It goes back a long way, and likely was catalyzed by his years of proud service in the U.S. Navy. Dale enlisted in 1977, serving six years and earning several communications and electronics certifications. His Navy service laid a solid foundation for Dale’s lifelong commitment to protecting others.  

Security was also innately in his bloodline, as Dale’s father founded Glenwood Fire & Security, and his mother ran the office. The company was later acquired by Doyle Security.

As Kevin Stone, Chief Operating Officer of Doyle Security Systems, fondly recalls, “We were honored and enriched by having Dale as part of the Doyle team. His drive for innovation and excellence in the field led him to establish his own company, ITZ Solutions, a security management firm through which he continued to share his expertise and passion.” 

Dale also gave many years of dedicated service as executive director for the Pennsylvania Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (since 1999), the New York Electronic & Life Safety Association (since 2003), the Ohio Security & Fire Alarm Association (since 2016), and as association manager for the Pennsylvania Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (since 2005).  

A Love for Teaching 

But it was likely teaching that jazzed Dale the most. He served as a Certified ESA National Training School (NTS) instructor since 1989, as well as ESA’s Director of Education & Standards from 2004-2011. 

As Paula Eller shares, “Dale loved teaching. Watching him teach a class was amazing. He was so proud the day he received the ESA National Training School Instructor of the Year Award in 2013. It meant so much to him because he loved teaching.” 

In true Dale fashion, he went about it humbly and wholeheartedly. His daughter Diane shares a fond recollection of her Dad: “When I was in middle school, I asked him what exactly he did, and he said he was like the Wizard of Oz – the man behind the curtain. He definitely liked being behind the scenes working his magic.”  

And, as Don McInnes, a Physical Security & Fire Alarm Systems Specialist and Instructor, recalls, “I first met Dale back in the mid 90’s when a group of NTS instructors got together for an Instructor’s Summit. We all served on the education committee in various roles and Dale took leadership over his many years in serving our industry along with his wife Paula not only in education but with running alarm associations. Dale was more than a good man, he was a passionate industry volunteer who dedicated himself to growing our profession through education and the sharing of knowledge so all would benefit,” he continues. “We NTS instructors all had something in common and that was a love of our industry and willingness to setting the standards so the core knowledge we needed to do our jobs was available to all. Dale left his mark by doing just that. And he left his mark on the profession he loved; we are all much better because of him.” 

As Kevin Stone echoes, “I always admired Dale’s commitment to his family, friends, and the industry he had a passion for. Dale was a hardworking, compassionate person that left a lasting memory on everyone he touched.” 

That hard work and compassion was recognized again when Dale was inducted into the Security Sales and Integration Industry Hall of Fame in 2021. The honor acknowledges security professionals who go above and beyond in professionalism, conduct, and achievement. “Dale was humbled beyond belief when he was notified about being inducted into the Industry Hall of Fame,” his wife Paula notes. 

“I am so touched by all the outpouring of thoughtfulness everyone has shown me and my family. Dale was a special man, and he is missed by so many,” Paula adds. “I have been saying this since Dale passed away – I can see him looking down from heaven saying “I just don’t know what all the fuss is about. I am just a kid from Erie, PA doing what I love.”  

Ah yes, Dale was definitely a kid from Erie, PA and did what he loved. And he was very much loved for what he did and who he was. As Stone points out, his legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the industry he loved so dearly.