Del has been riding a roller coaster over the last several months in regards to his health. Looking for a transplant one week, the next week being off the list due to health complications and bureaucracy and then finally and infection which complicated the other medical problems he was having.
Del crewed the Foxy Lady in 1969-70. I had the honor to have flown with him numerous times. As with all of the Guys in The Back that we were blessed to have served together, Del was among the best. After his military tour, he went onto a very successful commercial aviation career–finally having to retire due to medical problems.
Del was also the founder of the Vietnam Dustoff Association. It was his dream to have an organization dedicated to Vietnam Dustoff crewmembers and where they could come together for camaraderie, sharing of information, and assistance when and if necessary.