Winthrop William Dada died Feb. 21, 2005, at the age of 83. Win
was born in Breckenridge, Minn., on Oct. 1, 1921, to Arch and
Florence Dada. He was the fourth of seven children. Win grew up in
Oaks, N.D., and graduated from Oaks High School. His college
education began at Bottineau, N.D., and Appleton, Wisc.
Winthrop William Dada died Feb. 21, 2005, at the age of 83.
Win was born in Breckenridge, Minn., on Oct. 1, 1921, to Arch and Florence Dada. He was the fourth of seven children. Win grew up in Oaks, N.D., and graduated from Oaks High School. His college education began at Bottineau, N.D., and Appleton, Wisc.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, training at Brooks Field, Texas. He was a pilot with the 14th Air Force, the Flying Tigers. He flew in China, Burma and India. His B-25 was shot down in China. He was able to hike out after 14 days and return to his unit. He received the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Battle Star for his participation in a major campaign while in China.
After his Army service he continued his education and graduated from U.C. Berkeley in the spring of 1949. The following fall he married Ruth Marie Maves of Bovey, Minn., and they made their home in Richmond, where their three children were born. He worked for the federal Food and Drug Administration and was based in San Francisco for several years. He then began to work for the Dried Fruit Association in Santa Clara. In 1977 while president of the Dried Fruit Association, he was invited to Geneva, Switzerland, to speak to the United Nations General Assembly on world agricultural issues.
He and Ruth settled in Morgan Hill where they raised their children. After retiring as president of the DFA he and Ruth chose to retire in Missoula, Mont., to be near their family. They have lived in Missoula for 27 years with many great summers spent at their cabin on Placid Lake.
Win was an avid fisherman, hunter, a great card player, and had a love for horses. He spent many happy hours at the local Senior Center playing bridge. Win will be remembered for his honesty, integrity and great sense of humor.
He is survived by his sister Evelyn Bowman; wife Ruth; children Will Dada, Liza Dada Malmstrom and Kate Radzyminski; grandchildren Ruth and Daniel Dada, and Bill and Emily Radzyminski; and one great dog.
Burial was March 5 at Missoula City Cemetery.
Services were under the direction of Livingston Malletta Funeral Home.
