Warren amputee who helped others with disabilities died of COVID-19 – Detroit Free Press

Dale Stern(Photo: Submitted by Andrew Stern)

This obituary is part of We Will Remember, a series about those weve lost to the coronavirus.

Dale Stern, anamputee from Warren,used his talents to help design handicap-accessible vehicles and prostheses before he was laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The computer-aided design engineerdied at Beaumont Hospital inRoyal Oak on Nov. 21 after becoming ill with the coronavirus.

Stern, 47, was a graduate of North Farmington High School who returned to school in his 30s to create a better life forhimself and his daughter, according to his brother Andrew Stern. He earned an associate degreein CAD Design and a bachelor's degreein construction management from ITT Tech.

Dale Stern at a concert with daughter Dena.(Photo: Submitted by Andrew Stern)

Stern, who lost his left leg below the knee to diabetes in 2017, loved Mustangs and enjoyed working on them. He hadjust completed building a 1988 Mustang when he lost his leg and could no longer drive a manual transmission. Hewas forced to sell the carafter driving it only once.

He had the gift of gab and could make friends wherever he went, said Andrew Stern,who recalled that his brother loved music, live concerts and meeting people. He was never content sitting around.

Dale Stern with the band Super Bob.(Photo: Submitted by Andrew Stern)

Stern found out he had COVID-19 on Oct. 31. He was lethargic and had a headache that grew so intense heasked his older brother to take him to the ER. He was admitted to the hospital, where he stayed until his death.

Stern leaves to cherish his memorydaughter Dena; siblingsAric, Andrew and Samantha,and his former wife, Terra Letzer.

If you have a family member or close friend who has died from COVID-19 and you would like to share their story, please visit our memorial wall and select Share a story.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editorat the Detroit Free Press.Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.

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Warren amputee who helped others with disabilities died of COVID-19 - Detroit Free Press