In Remembrance of Dale Hudson

By: Ted Ewing

Dale Hudson, former associate director of admissions at Point Loma Nazarene University, passed away on July 19. He suffered a fall in December of 2022, resulting in a string of seizures and comas which required lengthy rehabilitation in San Diego. He had been receiving hospice care in Corona, CA at the time of his death. He was 72 years old.

Dale was born in Emporia, Kansas while his family was back home on a one-year sabbatical from Nazarene missionary work in Central America. He and his family returned to Guatemala, where his parents eventually served for more than 25 years and where Dale spent most of his childhood. He graduated from high school in Guatemala, then attended Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK and graduated in 1974. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity at Nazarene Theological University, with a concentration in youth ministry. To help pay his way through school, Dale gave guitar lessons at his brother’s music store in Kansas City, MO.

After several intern and associate pastorships in the Midwest, Dale relocated to California where he served as the youth minister at several Nazarene-affiliiated small colleges in Orange County. In 1989, he accepted a position with the Admissions Department at Point Loma Nazarene College, later PLNU, where he worked until his retirement in 2016. During his service with the university, he held various enrollment positions, most notably as the developer and director of the Encuentro Program, which flourished under his guidance. At its peak, it attracted over 300 Latino high school students to campus every year, many of whom decided to enroll at the university. He was also in charge of a number of inter-departmental social events, including the popular Christmas party, earning him the friendly title of “Uncle Dale.” He will be remembered for his many contributions, as well as his fondness for storytelling and social controversy.

In recent years, Dale lived in Rosarito, Mexico, where he had established relationships with several Mexican congregations in need of support services. His fluency in Spanish was an asset throughout his career. At his home church, Rosarito Beach Christian Church (RBCC), he was an occasional guest preacher and for one year served as the volunteer counselor, primarily to the Hispanic population. Dale was known to have a special place in his heart for young people of Mexican descent, especially those seeking to advance themselves through higher education. 

A memorial service was held in his honor at RBCC on August 19. In attendance were the current pastor, members of the congregation, friends from town and the former pastor, who closed the ceremony with a flute solo and the Lord’s Prayer. Dale was well loved and widely considered to be a one-of-a-kind individual. He is survived by three nephews of Frisco, TX: Robbie, Bentley and Jordan. 

Author of this obituary, Ted Ewing, was a friend of Dale’s in Rosarito, MX. Ted knew of Dale’s love for PLNU and of his care for the underserved high school students who he knew would benefit greatly from a Christian education.