Bernard "Bernie" Lee Dahl

Bernie Dahl, age 76, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026. He was born on August 7, 1949, in Belmond, Iowa, to the late Oscar S. Dahl and Dorothy M. (Benninger) Dahl.

On May 30, 1970, in Ames, Iowa, Bernie married Beth Beadleston. Together they were partners in life, love, family and adventures. Bernie is also survived by his daughter, Rebecca Dahl of South Bend, Indiana; his granddaughter Maddie Davidson of Brooklyn, New York; his sisters, Irene (Jim) Brekke, Bev Dahl, and Karen (Michael) Weltha; and his brother James (Linda) Dahl; and many nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Gloria Franz.

Bernie earned his BS in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University in 1972 and his MS in Natural Resources from Purdue University in 1974. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture in 2017, after 45 years of teaching his beloved students. Bernie led students in more than 150 community assistance and service-learning projects in more than 120 Indiana communities.

He became Chair of the Landscape Architecture program in 2001 and the Coordinator of the Cooperative Education program which placed students into yearlong internships at professional offices throughout the country. He was honored to be elected a Fellow of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture in 2014.

He was a founding member of the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) in 1973. His membership in ASLA was one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.  He was appointed to the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board in 2004. Bernie was so humbled to be elected a Fellow of ASLA in 2005.

For his lifelong advocacy of the Wabash River, he was named a River Hero by the River Network in 2008. In that year he was also named Citizen of the Wabash by the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission.

In 2022 Bernie was awarded the Diane M. Virgil Legacy Award from the Greenways Foundation for his lifelong contributions to Indiana trails and greenways. His dedication to environmental stewardship, community and regional planning, and landscape architecture education left an enduring impact across the state and beyond.

Bernie’s passion for his work was matched only by the love he held for those closest to him. He loved traveling with Beth, camping with Becca and Maddie, and spending time at his Harbert home in the woods with his family, friends, neighbors and his beautiful Lake Michigan beach. He played like a kid and loved playing with them. They loved him back. He was a master stone skipper, wind surfer, tree climber, tree planter, beach stair builder, trail builder, athlete, teacher, poet, hugger, volunteer, philosopher, and a caring, kind soul.

In keeping with his wishes cremation will take place, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please visit the Palmer Funeral Home website for updates.

Memorial contributions in Bernie’s honor may be made to Chikaming Open Lands, 12291 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125. Or visit www.chikamingopenlands.org. 

Palmer Funeral Home – Hoven Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.