July 11, 1963 – December 24, 2024 Dale Kascht was a man that will forever be remembered by anyone who had the chance to meet him as the man with the best heart they have ever known, loyalty beyond compare and an authenticity that radiated from deep inside him. It was evident from the moment you met him. His presence was magnetic. Every room lit-up with his smile and was electrified by his laugh. The lives of those who loved him were forever dulled when that light went out on December 24, 2024. The life of many parties through the years, he will be infamous for his thrill-seeking shenanigans, boundless generosity and kindness, admirable determination and work ethic, humble self-assuredness of exactly who he was and his ever-present rotating roster of Harley Davidson T-shirts.
Born on July 11, 1963 in Richmond, MN to parents John and Mary Kascht, Dale grew up with a love for adventure, a knack for nailing a prank (on either his friends or his siblings Kim, Darren, Kris and Katie) and a passion for all things fast. Whether it was racing cars down the Minnesota back roads, riding motorcycles or dirt bikes, tearing up his snowmobile, winning softball games as the team’s #33 third baseman, idolizing fighter jets or speeding across the water on the Chain of Lakes, he was always in pursuit of the next thrill. A quest that followed him through his entire life from Minnesota to California, his love of life and his zest for chasing what made him happy were unmatched. This pursuit brought him some of his greatest joys along the way, marrying his wife, Patti, on the bow of a boat in Lake Tahoe; exploring all of New York City while visiting his daughter, Kala; starting and building his monument company, Gateway Memorials; racing his stock car at Madera Speedway; watching every single race Dale Earnhart ever ran; lake days on Hensley Lake; Mexico getaways; singing classic rock at the top of his lungs and taking in the incredible views of the valley from his porch with his puppies and grandkids around him.
Through it all, Dale was relentless in his love and commitment to his family and his lifelong friendships that stuck by his side through thick and thin. He taught us how to love others above ourselves, to remain humble and kind no matter what life brings, to light up the world around us with authenticity and to always chase the joy of the ride! May we all love more like him, provide a helping hand to a stranger more like him and feel his peaceful presence in the fast breeze on our face and the chill of the Minnesota winters he loved so much. Until next time, “our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime, we’ll take the best, forget the rest…these [were] the best of times.”
Dale is survived by his wife Patti Kascht; his daughter Kala Kascht (and first wife, Kim Athmann King); step-children Carrian O’Brien (Kenny) and Mark Rodriguez (Eileena); grandchildren Kenny Boyd, Ty Schwartz, Quint O’Brien, Brody O’Brien, Gabriel Rodriguez, Leilani Rodriguez, Helena Rodriguez and Elia Rodriguez; his father John Kascht; sisters Kris Kascht and Katie Cunningham (Rob) and many beloved nieces, nephews, family members and long-time friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Kascht, brother Darren Kascht, sister Kim Kascht and step-son Russell Boyd. A celebration of life will be held on April 26th at Footman Park in Raymond, CA along with a second celebration that will occur this summer in Richmond, MN.
