I met Del when I first started spraying crops almost 50 years ago. The stories of his exploits were legendary. He always treated me with respect, so I listened carefully to what he had to say.
0
It was great to see the large turn out for Del's memorial service. I was able to talk to a lot of people who all shared great memories as we had pie after the service.
One thing that many people may not know is that Del was adopted. Del's Cousin Mel told me some specifics of his adoption, that started with him asking me if I knew how Del was named. Del's parents had been trying to have children for some time. There was a local family who had 12 children already and were having another, and was struggling with supporting their family. A local doctor coordinated the adoption of the young boy to Arthur and Laura. Del was named after the doctor, Dr. Delbert. As so often happens, they were then able to have two more boys, Del's brothers Emory and Elwood.
2
Steve, I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. His obituary is beautiful and It’s fun to see how his life influenced your own. May the many happy memories of your time with your dad comfort you in the days and years ahead, particularity as you share them with you grand kids.
Jim
1
Dear Hazel and Family....Al and I send our deepest sympathy to each of you on the loss of such a great and devoted man. Del was certainly loved by so many. He presented himself and his business well when he was with the aerial pilots and at the association meetings he attended. He missed some of those meetings because of his illness, but the community of pilots that Al will see next week in Reno at the convention will be remembering Del as well. We are so sorry we cannot attend Del's memorial because of the convention. The phone calls Del made often included us. It was always a joy talking to him and catching up on what was going on in his life. He was a wonderful Christian man who is now experiencing the joys of heaven with his Lord and Savior. We will be praying for all of you as you continue your journey without Del there with you. Much love...Al and Kathy
1
Steve,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of Del. He truly was a great stick and rudder pilot, above most of us in his feel for an aircraft. He always treated me like a friend, even though I don't know what I did to deserve his friendship. His dedication to the church demonstrated his true feelings and unshakeable beliefs. We had the occasion to work with him spraying some potatoes and forests at times through the years. It cemented that friendship for both of us.
He will be missed.
Sincerely, Mike Schiffer
1
2
Grandpa Del called every year on my birthday, and even began calling my wife every year for hers. Since welcoming our first son 14 months ago, he called to check in on our family every couple months. He was always thinking of others, and had plenty of room in his heart for his ever growing family.
2
One of my favorite stories was when I was getting my pilots license and visited him at the airport during spraying season. He was taking out a rinse load (a small load of clear water to rinse out the spray system). I watched him take off from the Lakeview airport runway and fly off. A short while later he came back and landed. When he shut off the airplane and climbed down he asked me, "Did you see that take off?" I said yes and he said "That was at minimum controllable airspeed." For those of you who are not pilots, it is the minimum airspeed that an aircraft can be controlled and still fly safely. It is something that is studied relentlessly in pilot training and we know those numbers for any aircraft we fly. I asked him "What speed is that?" and he said "I don't know" with a careless shrug of his shoulders. That was a testament to how in tuned he was with his aircraft that he could feel that it was at the minimum controllable airspeed without having to look at the airspeed indicator. That is a story I still tell today when pilots find out that I am the son of a crop duster.
4
my favorite thing uncle Del did was call on our birthdays to say happy birthday and it was always heartwarming to hear his voice🩷🩷
4
Share with others
Donate in memory
