Local potter Dale Pappas attended elementary and high school in Elko, NV. In 1965 he enlisted in the Marine Corps. His first overseas posting was serving in the Republic of Viet Nam as an infantryman. After this initial tour overseas, he was assigned to the Marine Security Guard Battalion where he was posted to embassies in Nepal and India.

After his enlisted duty he attended the University of Nevada and graduated in 1973. He re-entered the Marine Corps as an officer and was released from active duty in 1976 but maintained his reserve status.

Dale went to work for the Washoe County Sheriffs Office in 1980. It was while working at Incline Village that he ventured into clay and pottery, taking classes and workshops at Sierra Nevada College. He credits Carol Spahr, Jack Troy, Warren MacKenzie, Paul Herman and Joe Winter as having major influences on his pottery work.