Dale Ostertag, 76, of Carlsbad, CA, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2023. Dale was born on August 19, 1946, to Oscar and Mildred (Phillips) Ostertag in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Dearborn, MI, and graduated from Dearborn High School, class of 1964. He married Yousra (Sue) Salla on October 15, 1978, in Dearborn, MI.
In the 1960s, while living in Oak Lawn, IL—and serving his country as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard—he graduated from the Chicago Police Academy. He started his career as a police officer at the Chicago Police Department, where he worked in the late 1960s, including during the 1968 Chicago riots. In the early 1970s, he transferred his law enforcement career to Michigan, where he joined the Dearborn Police Department. After quickly rising to the rank of Sergeant, Dale worked as a police officer in Dearborn, alongside his brother Jon, for the remainder of his law enforcement career. He and Sue also owned and operated the Red Devil Restaurants in both Detroit and Clinton Township. In the early 1990s, after a 25-year career as a police officer, he retired from the Dearborn Police Department.
As Dale was nearing retirement from the police department, he returned to school, taking night classes to earn his law degree from Madonna University. During the 1990s, he worked as a practicing attorney in Michigan. He began his legal career in private practice near his home in Clinton Township, and also worked as a college professor, teaching courses on criminal justice. In the mid 1990s, Dale and his family moved to Carsonville, MI, where Dale became the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Sanilac County. He and Sue owned and operated the Courthouse Café in Sandusky, MI, which was across the street from the courthouse where Dale regularly worked.
In the early 2000s, Dale and Sue relocated to San Diego, CA, where Dale obtained his license as a Real Estate Broker, and began a career in real estate. He was the lead broker in charge of a busy RE/MAX real estate office, where Sue also worked as the office manager. Dale’s career in Southern California real estate spanned nearly 20 years.
Along with his many career paths, Dale was an adept carpenter and electrician, and he enjoyed helping others with projects. He always had a truck stocked with tools and supplies, and the only currency he would accept in exchange for his services was a chocolate chip cookie or a cold Pepsi. Dale had a special place in his heart for his friends and family, and he loved nothing more than spending time with them, whether it be at the annual family reunion or out to dinner at the Applegate Inn.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sue Ostertag of Carlsbad, CA; two sons, David (Melissa) Ostertag of Lake Orion, Donald (Amruti) Ostertag of Poway, CA; grandchildren, Sydney and Rachel Ostertag of Lake Orion, MI; brother, Jon (Beverly) Ostertag of Rochester, MI; sister, Denise Lien of Carsonville, MI; sisters-in-law Nadia Chammout, Ida (Randy) Hamud, and Alya (Eric) Pierce; brother-in-law Michael Salla, and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by previous spouse Sharon (Socha) Ostertag, infant daughter Dawn Ostertag, his parents Oscar and Mildred Ostertag, and his brothers-in-law Mike Chammout, Nash Salla, and Rod Lien.
A memorial will be announced at a later date where Dale will be laid to rest next to his parents and family in the Downing Cemetery in Deckerville, MI.
