On the 27th of February, 2026, we lost Dalton “Bruce” Tingen, after a grueling 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. We lost not only a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend, but a family man, a storyteller, a hard worker, and a man who put everyone else first.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Brenda “Diane” Tingen; two brothers, David Tingen (Lisa) and Dennis Tingen (Jan); two sons, Michael Tingen and Marcus Tingen (Kaye); two daughters, Michele Shrout and Melissa Schilling (Chris); eight grandchildren, Nicole Stapleton (John), Cole Tingen, Derek Shrout (Gabrielle Keeney), Karly Shrout (Colin Shinn), Kyla Schilling, Kaitlyn Schilling, Kael Schilling, Marcus Tingen, Jr; and five great-grandchildren, Eloise and Ezra Stapleton, Dakota and Delilah Shrout, Theo Shinn, and a legacy of faith and family.
Bruce was born and raised in Lenoir County, NC to Dalton “Alexander” Tingen and Elsie Hobbs Tingen. He was an apprentice at the Newport News Shipyard and continued his passion for building as a federal worker for the United States Navy, which brought him to many places: Haiti, Japan, Guam, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Spain just to name a few. After retirement, he and Diane spent most of their days traveling across the world and embarking on many cruises with close family friends, Debbie and Tony Holmes. As a loving and devoted father and “Pappaw”, his favorite place to travel was where his family was, and he frequently visited his kids in the military and their families.
Bruce was a devout Christian, and his faith was a constant guide for his path in life. He attended Parkview Church of God for his early years and later attended the Warwick Assembly of God as his children grew up, both in Newport News, Virginia. Bruce also carried his religion into his own home during his later years. He taught us that faith is less about words and more about how you love, how you forgive, and how you endure. Even as Alzheimer’s slowly took pieces of memory, it never took the deep-rooted spirit God planted within him. We are comforted knowing that he is now celebrating with Jesus and family and friends that have gone before him.
A Celebration of Life honoring Bruce will be held at a later date. His family is currently making arrangements, and details regarding the time or place will be announced once finalized. We look forward to gathering with those who knew the lovely man he was to remember and honor his life together.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you send Donations in Honor of Dalton “Bruce” Tingen to one of the below:
Swank Memory Center 501 W 14th St, Wilmington, DE 19801 or you can visit christianacare.org/us/en/make-a-gift/donations and choose Swank Memory Care Center as your designation
Seasons Hospice Foundation 220 Continental Dr Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713 or you can visit seasonsfoundation.org
