Bettie McSpedden Dale, 84, of Manhattan, died on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007.  The family provided some of the following information.  Mrs. Dale was born in Lubbock, Texas in 1923. She married Brock Dale in Phillips, Texas in 1946. She was educated at Baylor University and earned a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1954.

Bettie and her husband moved to Manhattan in 1957. After all three of her children were in school, she accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at Kansas State University in molecular biology.  Later, she served as advisor to pre-medical students, pre-dental students and other health profession majors. Several local physicians were her advisees.

She and her husband joined the Manhattan Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in September 1957. She was a very active member, serving in many positions of responsibility.

Bettie and her husband enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, Central America and South America. Following retirement, they lived much of the year in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. They were interested in Mexican history, archeology and anthropology. Many of their Manhattan friends visited them in Mexico.

They sponsored Mexican students seeking higher education. Bettie co-founded a children's eye clinic and was involved in many community service projects in both Mexico and Kansas.

Bettie's other Manhattan interests included World Friendship, Garden Club, and bridge groups. She was an enthusiastic ceramicist. A voracious reader, she belonged to several book clubs. She is remembered for her many personal kindnesses to family, friends and children in need.

She is survived by her husband Brock of the home, sons Richard Dale of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Quentin Dale of Olathe; daughter Margaret Dale of Spokane, WA; six grandchildren; brother Richard McSpedden of Dallas, Texas; sister Charlotte Vautrain of Sweeny, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held at the Manhattan Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the Unitarian Universalist Religious Education Program.