Dale Harlow LaFollette Jr. 1938-2026
08 Sep 2026
Dale Harlow LaFollette Jr.
September 6th, 1938
August 27th, 2026
There is a very big piece of the Royal Treatment Family missing this week, as my Dad, Dale LaFollette, passed away from a stroke during the eclipse of the Blood Moon on the evening of August 27th, just shy of his 88th birthday.
Dad was a regular fixture in the shop, rolling in on Saturday mornings with homemade cookies, artfully created by his loving wife, Sally, the Cookie Lady, or stopping in during the week to check in on all of us. He would roll in with his freshly washed Porsche Boxster, top down on sunny days, to catch up with his eldest son or take me to lunch. He was always interested in the business and the community. He was very proud of the positive impacts we have made over the years, beyond the fly-fishing world.
Growing up, he mentored me, teaching me the skills I would use throughout my life. I always weighed my decisions against “what would Dad think?” On the water, he was like the Shadow Caster; his casting stroke was mesmerizing. I would watch him fish on the Deschutes for hours, taking note of every aspect of his cast. Later, imitating what I had seen, my double-haul soon took shape, and line speed and distance increased. When I waded back to shore, his approving smile told me all I needed to know.
For most of my adult life, Dad was the general manager of Portland International Raceway; his passion for motorsports was well known, and his knowledge of the subject knew no bounds. In his lifetime, he assembled one of the most complete collections of motoring literature, focused on pre- and post-war Formula One and sports cars. While his motoring passion didn't escape me, the history part wasn’t my focus; the fast cars and daring drivers became topics of weekly conversation, lagging only in the offseason.
Two days before his passing, I called to see if he was home and if I could stop in to visit. We sat on his deck under a beautiful blue sky and covered all our favorite topics: Formula One, current world events, the fly shop, and my upcoming cancer treatment. My treatment was the hardest topic, but he seemed confident that it would be successful and was at peace trusting the medical team and the plan. I found confidence in his, and drove home knowing I could face whatever was to come. I did not realize how wrong I was.
Dale is survived by his wife, Sally, and a large blended family of sons, daughters, and grandkids who will all miss him terribly.
A celebration of life is planned for Spring 2027
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