On the morning of December 21st, the survey research world lost a pioneering member who had contributed significantly to our industry and was a good friend to many of us. Dale Kulp, the founder and president of Marketing Systems Group (MSG), was a visionary whose innovative products and services continue to impact the survey research world. Dale was responsible for the de­sign and development of the GENESYS RDD sampling system; the omnibus survey EXCEL; and the first online sample manager. For nearly four decades he was involved with the planning and implementation of numerous survey and market research projects while passionately pursuing innovative methods for the construction of high quality sampling frames for population-based studies. Among his friends, employees, and clients Dale is remembered as a brilliant man who was generous, inspirational, loyal, and a true mentor. His career path, which started in the early 70’s, included time at Chilton Research Services, Data Group, Bruskin Associates, and International Communications Research. In 1987 Dale founded MSG where he served as president and CEO until the last weeks of his life.