Dale Pinkerton has many accolades to his name — former county commissioner, Rotarian, Shriner.

His optimistic nature and love of community was as obvious as his loud, trademark suit coats.

While his good works say a great deal about the man, his quiet kindness revealed so much more.

I used to run into Dale when the Butler Eagle office was on the Diamond. We both walked up to work on the brick side street from the city tier garage. Just an occasional “hello” and “how are you doing?”

But when my son was in eighth grade and debating a career path — surgeon or rock star — I mentioned it to Dale. I didn’t know any rock stars or surgeons for that matter.

Dale thought a career in medicine might be the better of the two professions and he knew a surgeon. He offered to call one of Butler County’s best and arrange for my son to shadow him.

I saw Dale later that week, but didn’t mention his promise. It was a passing kindness. He was a busy man with county business to take care of. I didn’t mention it, but Dale did.

He remembered and reached out to help a young man he never met. And the good doctor welcomed the teen and shared an insight into his profession.

That encounter gave me another insight into Dale: He was a person who his friends and acquaintances valued and trusted. He wove a sense of community connecting people with like interests and concerns.

I was fortunate to run into Dale’s lovely wife, Millie, at a recent community fundraiser and was able to tell her how her husband’s gesture contributed to my son following that career path. That young man is now an orthopedic surgical resident at Allegheny General Hospital.

Dale’s kindness helped to show him more than a possible career path. The action taught a young man that good men take an interest in their work; better men take an interest in others.

I’m sure there are many beneficiaries of Dale’s influence and caring. Hopefully, they will share that kindness with others, honoring the legacy of a man who loved his community.

Donna Sybert is associate managing editor at the Butler Eagle.