Dall Gebhard Brune

Long time Ridgecrest resident Dall Gebhard Brune, a man of unwavering integrity, intellectual curiosity, and a gentle spirit, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2024, just days before his 95th birthday. Dall was born in a small farmhouse on November 9, 1929, in Optima, Oklahoma, to Oscar William Brune and Ruth Gebhard Brune.
Dall spent his childhood on a farm in the Oklahoma panhandle, where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance. He graduated from Guymon High School in 1948, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma, in 1952. After graduating, Dall was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War, serving from 1952 to 1954. He spent time stationed in Alabama and Georgia before returning to civilian life.

Following the Army, Dall spent time as a middle school mathematics teacher, but decided to return to school and completed a Master of Science degree in Mathematics and Administration from Oklahoma State University in 1957.
In 1957, Dall moved to China Lake, California, to begin his career at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS), which later became the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake.
On December 29, 1964, Dall married the love of his life, Patricia Parks, in Cody, Wyoming.

Together they raised three sons in Ridgecrest and shared a life filled with faith, family, and shared passions. Dall was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, where he was involved in church activities and fellowship.
As a father, Dall coached his sons in baseball and basketball and gave of his time freely. Be it a game of catch in the backyard or practicing free throws in the driveway, Dall always had time for his boys.

In November 1991, after dedicating 34 years to civil service, Dall retired from NAWS.
In retirement Dall continued with his various passions: fishing in Lone Pine, collecting and refinishing antique oak furniture, handcrafting knives and making canes and walking sticks. Dall was also a skilled card player, enjoying games of bridge and pinochle with family and friends.
Dall is preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Ruth, his brothers Evain and Marcus, and his sisters LaRue and Phyllis. Dall is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia Brune, his sons Carl (wife Roxanne), Chris, and Curtis (wife Lucy), his grandchildren Ryan, Owen, Kyle, Ethan, Nicholas, and Alex, and his sister Carolyn Blair.

A service celebrating Dall's life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 502 N Norma St. on November 15, 2024, at 10:30 AM with reception to follow at the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lutheran World Relief (www.lwr.org) or a charity of your choice.