RANDALL DAHL '68

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Randall "Randy" Wilson Dahl, 77, died in the hands of his family on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Randy was born Dec. 11, 1945, to parents Clifford W. and Evelyn Rainey Dahl, and grandparents Chris and Mary Dahl and Cleve and Anna Rainey. He graduated from Champaign Central High School in 1964 and the University of Illinois in 1968 with a degree in psychology and as a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He went on to obtain master's degrees and his Doctorate in Education from the University of Kentucky in 1981.

He married Ellen Hartman in 1968 after meeting at the University of Illinois. Throughout their marriage, they lived in Bloomington, Ind., Amherst, Mass., Lexington, Ky., Tuscaloosa, Ala., Stillwater, Okla., Richmond, Va., and Al Ain UAE. In 2012, he retired to Hilton Head, S.C.

Randy was a dedicated husband, father, Poppy and friend. He was a dad who loved to plan a family vacation as much as going on the vacation, making sure to have the itinerary printed and constantly updating his spreadsheets. He truly loved his role as Poppy for his two grandchildren, making sure to attend every event possible.

Randy was a rock for his family and all their friends, being supportive and taking on any cause to help. He enjoyed visiting his nieces and nephews and their children across the country. His quick wit and humor were well known to all.

He was a true advocate for education, keeping the best interests of students at the forefront of his work. Students across the globe have benefitted from his work making sure access to education was available to anyone who wanted to learn. His intelligence and curiosity led him to be a lifelong connoisseur of NPR and the news, and he was always ready to listen to anyone with a good story.