Someday, Curtis Dalrymple may contact the company that made his father’s heart valves.
The experimental little flaps regulating blood through his father’s heart worked for three decades. Perhaps the manufacturer would enjoy knowing what a sterling product they designed when heart valves were still a medical marvel.
Norman Edgar Dalrymple was supposed to die more than 50 years ago because of his failing heart. He defied those predictions by living until March 31. He died of natural causes at age 89.
A devout Christian, Dalrymple lived his life as an example of his faith. Phyllis Hall worshipped with her friend in a nondenominational group. They didn’t meet in church buildings but shared testimonials, fellowship and Bible studies in homes.
“Norman was rock solid on the rock of Christ,” Hall said.
Dalrymple and his brother-in-law, Ted Bay, founded the Marysville Livestock Auction in 1961. Glen Allen of Snohomish became yard manager in 1965.
“Sincere and serious, he didn’t say much, but he was always thinking,” Allen said. “Sometimes he was disappointed, but he never got mad.
“They said he was weak,” Allen said, “but I never saw him as weak.”
Excellent with figures, Dalrymple worked until the wee hours of Wednesday mornings, making the books right after big Tuesday auctions. More than 45,000 cattle were sold at the auction from year to year.
“Norman loved livestock,” Allen said. “He grew up in Nebraska.”
Norman Dalrymple was born in a sod house in the Sand Hills area of Nebraska in 1915. His family tried to make a go of farming on the prairie but eventually followed other family members to Seattle, where Dalrymple worked in the stockyards near what is now Safeco Field. Complications from rheumatic fever at age 16 plagued the young man, who was only supposed to live a few years after his marriage.
At his Arlington home, Dalrymple loved to mow the lawn, said his son Curtis Dalrymple. He also enjoyed tending his vegetable garden. The family never owned a television set. But Norman Dalrymple read the newspaper every day until his death. Knowing every farmer in the area, he loved to talk about current events or the price of cows.
“Nobody heard him say a negative word about anybody,” his son said. “Nobody said a negative word about him.”
Curtis Dalrymple said you could mention a date and his father would know what he had done on that date. He had a knack for numbers, finishing the eighth grade at age 11 and graduating from high school at 15.
He was a business mentor to Lynn Weidenbach, president of the board at the auction house.
“He was a person who would guide you in the right direction,” Weidenbach said. “His determination to succeed was overwhelming. He was going to make things work, and he worked to do it.”
He taught his children the value of a dollar. Another son, Roger Dalrymple, said they had to earn their allowance. They delivered newspapers with their father’s help and sold Spudnuts door to door.
The family threw their patriarch a big birthday party when Dalrymple turned 70. He wasn’t supposed to live much longer, but his heart gave him 19 more years.
His daughter, Jean Weir, said medical miracles combined with other healthful traits helped her father.
“I often wonder if there was more to Dad’s longevity than good artificial valves,” Weir said. “He was very disciplined and very patient.”
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Emily; children Roger of Alpharetta, Ga., Curtis of Bellingham, Jean Weir of Elk Grove, Calif., and Kathryn LeMoine of Bellingham; grandfather of 10; and great-grandfather of six. He is also survived by sister Maud Reoch of Walla Walla; brothers Bob Dalrymple of Mesa, Ariz., and Win Dalrymple of Grayland; and sister-in-law Lillie Dalrymple of Silverton, Ore.
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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