Pianotech

With a profound sense of loss, I am very sad to report that my good friend, mentor, and general co-conspirator in piano “crime”, Dale Probst passed away earlier this morning. He fought a very brave battle with cancer for more than two and a half years. He had many friends in the piano industry and PTG was very much his extended family. When I have more details regarding his final arrangements I will share them.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

Original Message------

With a profound sense of loss, I am very sad to report that my good friend, mentor, and general co-conspirator in piano “crime”, Dale Probst passed away earlier this morning. He fought a very brave battle with cancer for more than two and a half years. He had many friends in the piano industry and PTG was very much his extended family. When I have more details regarding his final arrangements I will share them.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

A finer person, mentor, and friend can not be found. All of us in the Guild and in the Industry owe a profound debt of gratitude to Dale for his unflagging efforts to make things better.

He is missed.

Allan

------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 09:04
From: Norman Cantrell
Subject: Dale Probst

With a profound sense of loss, I am very sad to report that my good friend, mentor, and general co-conspirator in piano “crime”, Dale Probst passed away earlier this morning. He fought a very brave battle with cancer for more than two and a half years. He had many friends in the piano industry and PTG was very much his extended family. When I have more details regarding his final arrangements I will share them.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

Original Message------

A finer person, mentor, and friend can not be found. All of us in the Guild and in the Industry owe a profound debt of gratitude to Dale for his unflagging efforts to make things better.

He is missed.

Allan

------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Original Message------

With a profound sense of loss, I am very sad to report that my good friend, mentor, and general co-conspirator in piano “crime”, Dale Probst passed away earlier this morning. He fought a very brave battle with cancer for more than two and a half years. He had many friends in the piano industry and PTG was very much his extended family. When I have more details regarding his final arrangements I will share them.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

Yes, very sad to hear.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 14:57
From: Ruth Zeiner
Subject: Dale Probst

Oh, that is sad news.  Dale was the epitome of class and grace, as is Elizabeth.

They have my prayers.  Ruth Zeiner

Dale is the reason I became an RVP, and beyond. He was the President when I got my feet wet in the Board room.

I'll never forget his patience with me. He called one day, out of the blue, asking if I would consider running for RVP. I asked him if I could think about it. He said of course, and for 6 weeks I tossed that idea around. I finally had to make a decision (he wanted to know one way or the other). I finally said yes, I will put my name in nomination. I believe he contacted a few people in the SE Region asking them to endorse me, because the feeling I got at that Convention's Regional caucus was I WAS going to be elected to be RVP. That didn't sit well with me because Clarence Zeches (previous RVP) is a dear friend and I had no intention of upsetting him. Clarence was fine, and now I am a fish out of water having never aspired to be anything but a piano technician.

I will always remember Dale's patience and support with me. We didn't talk 'shop'. Our shop talk was based on the PTG, its well-being, and always a bit of history since he was a walking encyclopedia of PTG knowledge. All of us were his extended family, and those that have written so far know this. Those that have not now know they have lost a brother from this organization. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention Liz. She kept him with us as long as she could. She knew how important PTG was to Dale, and how being a part and participating in anything PTG gave him a spark. Thank you Liz. Thank you for your support for our benefit. 

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 17:02
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Dale Probst

Yes, very sad to hear.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 14:57
From: Ruth Zeiner
Subject: Dale Probst

Oh, that is sad news.  Dale was the epitome of class and grace, as is Elizabeth.

They have my prayers.  Ruth Zeiner

All

As a promised follow up the services for Dale will be Thursday February 2 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Wichita Falls, TX.  There will be a family gathering the evening before at Lunns Funeral Home in Wichita Falls.  I will post the time when it is confirmed.

Thank you to all who have responded on the PTG lists as well as Facebook.  Elizabeth was greatly surprised and very much appreciative of all the kind words, sentiments and outpouring of love that have been expressed. 

Like many of you, Dale had a great impact in my life and because of our geographic proximity we had many opportunities to interact in person.  We served on the Board together for three years and had the opportunity to drive to Kansas City each year for the Mid Year meeting.  We shared a ride to Los Angeles and Grand Rapids to attend annual conventions as well as Houston and Austin for RCO's.  He and I also delivered a piano that we had collaborated on out to New Mexico to the Philmont Scout Ranch.  That's a lot of windshield time and we had a lot of opportunities to talk about a variety of topics.  Dale encouraged me, challenged me and occasionally sought my advice for which I was honored. 

If we are lucky in life we have a handful of true friends that go to the level of soul brother or sister.  Dale was one of those in my life and I will miss him greatly.  We laughed a lot, worked together on a variety of projects both piano and organizationally, and prayed together on many occasions.  When we were at Philmont setting up the Knabe Ampico grand and doing some subsequent fine regulating of the system the museum curator remarked that our conversation sounded like two brothers going at it on a project.  In many ways we were.  It was a unique honor to pin his Golden Hammer emblem on his lapel in Denver and he was so deserving of that award.  Dale was not a perfect saint but he set the bar very high for all of us to follow in many ways.  He was an honorable man and it was a blessing to have been able to share a part of my life with him.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 07:04
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: Dale Probst

Dale is the reason I became an RVP, and beyond. He was the President when I got my feet wet in the Board room.

I'll never forget his patience with me. He called one day, out of the blue, asking if I would consider running for RVP. I asked him if I could think about it. He said of course, and for 6 weeks I tossed that idea around. I finally had to make a decision (he wanted to know one way or the other). I finally said yes, I will put my name in nomination. I believe he contacted a few people in the SE Region asking them to endorse me, because the feeling I got at that Convention's Regional caucus was I WAS going to be elected to be RVP. That didn't sit well with me because Clarence Zeches (previous RVP) is a dear friend and I had no intention of upsetting him. Clarence was fine, and now I am a fish out of water having never aspired to be anything but a piano technician.

I will always remember Dale's patience and support with me. We didn't talk 'shop'. Our shop talk was based on the PTG, its well-being, and always a bit of history since he was a walking encyclopedia of PTG knowledge. All of us were his extended family, and those that have written so far know this. Those that have not now know they have lost a brother from this organization. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention Liz. She kept him with us as long as she could. She knew how important PTG was to Dale, and how being a part and participating in anything PTG gave him a spark. Thank you Liz. Thank you for your support for our benefit. 

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 17:02
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Dale Probst

Yes, very sad to hear.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 14:57
From: Ruth Zeiner
Subject: Dale Probst

Oh, that is sad news.  Dale was the epitome of class and grace, as is Elizabeth.

They have my prayers.  Ruth Zeiner

Like Phil, I also received a call one evening from Dale asking if I would run for the position of RVP. We talked at length about the position, but I decided not to accept because of ongoing committee work and the likelihood of running against a sitting RVP. Dale did give me another phone number to call if I wanted to reconsider his offer.

A few years later, I received a call from Norman asking if I would run for the position of RVP. Remembering the call from Dale previously, this time, I was able to accept.

Dale was a good friend and it is very sad that he is no longer with us. One recent memory of him was at Denver - when I was able to congratulate him on stage (with Norman and Phil) as he received the Golden Hammer Award. The other memory was in Norfolk at an evening event where Dale and Liz were both present.

Liz, my sincere condolences to you and your family.

Paul.

------------------------------
Paul Brown, RPT
Vancouver, BC Canada
Email: paulbrn@telus.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 07:04
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: Dale Probst

Dale is the reason I became an RVP, and beyond. He was the President when I got my feet wet in the Board room.

I'll never forget his patience with me. He called one day, out of the blue, asking if I would consider running for RVP. I asked him if I could think about it. He said of course, and for 6 weeks I tossed that idea around. I finally had to make a decision (he wanted to know one way or the other). I finally said yes, I will put my name in nomination. I believe he contacted a few people in the SE Region asking them to endorse me, because the feeling I got at that Convention's Regional caucus was I WAS going to be elected to be RVP. That didn't sit well with me because Clarence Zeches (previous RVP) is a dear friend and I had no intention of upsetting him. Clarence was fine, and now I am a fish out of water having never aspired to be anything but a piano technician.

I will always remember Dale's patience and support with me. We didn't talk 'shop'. Our shop talk was based on the PTG, its well-being, and always a bit of history since he was a walking encyclopedia of PTG knowledge. All of us were his extended family, and those that have written so far know this. Those that have not now know they have lost a brother from this organization. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention Liz. She kept him with us as long as she could. She knew how important PTG was to Dale, and how being a part and participating in anything PTG gave him a spark. Thank you Liz. Thank you for your support for our benefit. 

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 17:02
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Dale Probst

Yes, very sad to hear.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 14:57
From: Ruth Zeiner
Subject: Dale Probst

Oh, that is sad news.  Dale was the epitome of class and grace, as is Elizabeth.

They have my prayers.  Ruth Zeiner

Original Message------

With a profound sense of loss, I am very sad to report that my good friend, mentor, and general co-conspirator in piano “crime”, Dale Probst passed away earlier this morning. He fought a very brave battle with cancer for more than two and a half years. He had many friends in the piano industry and PTG was very much his extended family. When I have more details regarding his final arrangements I will share them.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

Dale had as a profound effect on my life as Ed Sutton has.

Dale worked with me at the GAR 37 class at St. Louis several years ago.
Since that day, I felt his presence on my shoulder looking over every
appointment. Each time I thought maybe I could bypass that trouble
union, that repair I could overlook, that easy fix over a better way...
Dale stood there. I knew I could not look him in the eye at the next
convention if I did not take the ethical high ground.

A week ago I called him and told him how he has been with me for years.
Now I'm glad I didn't wait.

A lesson he shared with me on the phone was that sometimes we receive
rewards measured beyond a personal check. They are emotional rewards for
impacting a customer in a way we didn't anticipate. Dale said, "That's
what I call elegant payment." As graciously as ever, he said that was
not his original idea... but in this business, what do you call
original? We are all products of our mentors.

Thank you Elizabeth for holding my phone call long enough for Dale to
come to the phone. His last words to me were, "I really appreciate your
phone call."

Perhaps his last words to me was an eternal message to us all: Pick up
the phone and make that call.

Blessing and peace to Elizabeth and family,
John Parham


Original Message------

With a profound sense of loss, I am very sad to report that my good friend, mentor, and general co-conspirator in piano “crime”, Dale Probst passed away earlier this morning. He fought a very brave battle with cancer for more than two and a half years. He had many friends in the piano industry and PTG was very much his extended family. When I have more details regarding his final arrangements I will share them.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

I was incredibly sad to hear this news.  I've been out of the PTG loop for a while, due to a stroke after neck surgery.  Reading this, saddens me that I didn't know about his fight with cancer. Dale was an awesome man, on so many levels.  My heart goes out to Elizabeth, and family.

Brian De Tar, RPT, and friend.

------------------------------
Brian De Tar, RPT, PCC, LLC
Portland OR
503-201-5482
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2017 09:04
From: Norman Cantrell
Subject: Dale Probst

With a profound sense of loss, I am very sad to report that my good friend, mentor, and general co-conspirator in piano “crime”, Dale Probst passed away earlier this morning. He fought a very brave battle with cancer for more than two and a half years. He had many friends in the piano industry and PTG was very much his extended family. When I have more details regarding his final arrangements I will share them.

------------------------------
Norman Cantrell
Piano Clinic
Lawton OK
580-355-5003
------------------------------

Original Message------

I was incredibly sad to hear this news.  I've been out of the PTG loop for a while, due to a stroke after neck surgery.  Reading this, saddens me that I didn't know about his fight with cancer. Dale was an awesome man, on so many levels.  My heart goes out to Elizabeth, and family.

Brian De Tar, RPT, and friend.

------------------------------
Brian De Tar, RPT, PCC, LLC
Portland OR
503-201-5482
------------------------------