An 81-year-old man who died Saturday night after a head-on collision in the Slate Belt spent his life devoted to three generations of family.

Dale Bower, of the New Tripoli section of Weisenberg Township in Lehigh County, lived most of his life sharing more than 10 acres of land with his two brothers, and later his son and one of his four daughters.

There, he spent long weekends gardening several fields of corn, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables, said his adult granddaughter, Jamie Bower of Virginia. Bower also grew up on the property, living there until college.

"He was a family guy, for sure," Jamie Bower said of "Grandpop." "He loved all of his kids and grandkids, and let us know how proud of us he was."

Family members believe Dale was looking to grab a bite to eat at a diner when for reasons unknown he ended up in Lower Mount Bethel Township, about 40 miles from his home.

He lost control of his pickup truck on a curve on Route 611 and collided head-on with a minivan at 10:50 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police said.

Family members who had not heard from him and were concerned for his safety had reported him missing hours earlier, according to state police. Jamie Bower said Monday that they were at a loss to explain what happened.

He was pronounced dead at the crash scene by Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek. Autopsy results are pending to determine his exact cause and manner of death.

The minivan driver, 57-year-old William M. Bright of Bangor, suffered serious injuries and was flown by helicopter to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill. A hospital spokeswoman did not have information on Bright's condition.

Bower is survived by a son, Steve E. and his wife, Pat, of New Tripoli; and daughters, Donna L. Kistler and her husband, Carl, of Kempton, Carol A. O'Connor and her husband, Joe, of New Tripoli, Melissa M. Levan and her husband, David, of Schnecksville and Dana D. Snyder and her husband, Richard, of Kutztown.

He also leaves behind his brother, Charles Bower of New Tripoli; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. His wife, Rita Gmoser, whom he was married to for 41 years, died in 1994.

Services will be held privately.

81-year-old dies in Route 611 crash in Slate Belt

Family traditions

The Bower family is big on family traditions and their grandparents were the center of it all, Jamie Bower said.

The couple held family picnics on summer holidays. About 50 extended family members would attend simply just to "catch up," Jamie Bower said.

Other major holidays -- Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter -- were closer knit, gathering the immediate three generations. And every Sunday no matter what the large family was doing, they could stop and come together for "snack time" and chatting.

"We've had these traditions for my entire life," said Jamie Bower, who returns home for each holiday. "Grandpop would sit back, eat his snacks and take it all in."

She recalled how especially proud Dale would get at the accomplishments of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Now, the couple's five children and adult grandchildren plan to carry on traditions for their children. At Christmas, they also will continue their grandmother's secret cookie recipe, Jamie said.

Hardworking hands

Dale Bower was described by family as a hard worker whose hands are now at rest.

He attended what is now William Allen High School and later went on to work for Allstate Insurance as a road adjuster for nearly 30 years. He retired in 1994.

He was a car aficionado, working for 15 years with various Allentown body shops. He belonged to St. Paul's Union Church in Seiberlingsville, Lehigh County.

When he wasn't working or gardening, Bower enjoyed woodmaking. Several pieces of furniture in every house of the Bower family was crafted by Dale.

"He would make anything we asked him to -- frames, dressers, grandfather clocks -- anything," Jamie Bower said.

Jamie called the loss of her grandfather a missing piece in their family puzzle.

"He was a quiet man, but he had so much kindness and love for his children, grandchildren and extended family," she said. "He truly was one of those pure kind of souls, which are very rare to find these days.

"We are all thankful to have so many things that he's made us over the years," she continued. "And so many wonderful memories that we can hold in our hearts."

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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