BORN

1929

DIED

2012

FUNERAL HOME

Kraeer Funeral Home & Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens

200 West Copans Road

Pompano Beach, Florida

Delmar Hendrickson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 16, 2012.

Delmar G. Hendrickson, Jr.

Our Beloved Husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, and someone you really should've known, if you didn't…

Back in the fall of '54, toward the end of the Korean War, Del was sent home from the MP CORP and he came knockin' on my door. We meet, and something wild and sweet shivered through me, down to my feet. My heart said,"Hey, this could be the guy that makes you feel like you could fly!" And sure enough, before too long, we were singing the Sandman Song.. Our song. The following June we said "I do" and then we were one, no longer two. He dubbed us, "Bo'Fus".

Del was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1952. He then fulfilled his ROTC duty in Korea with the Army, Military Police Corp. spending 14months on the DMZ line after boot camp here, protecting our soldiers. While in college he earned his private pilot's license and occasionally transported some of the Wisconsin Central Airlines Executive staff here and there-and decided he loved flying. So when he was released from active duty in September of 1954 he boarded a MATA transport plane and made the long trip back to the States, to Florida where his parents had recently moved. He got a job at Burdine's and finished his pilot training, acquiring his commercial multi-engine and instrument ratings, ready to get started on what would be a lifelong career. He soon met Marianne Bassett and they were married on June 25, 1955, marking the end of his freewheeling bachelor days! On June 26th they left parents and friends behind and honeymooned all the way to Ann Arbor, MI anticipating the airline life as man and wife, as Del began his flying career with North Central Airlines, formally Wisconsin Central. Based first in Chicago he flew the magnificent Douglas DC-3 prop engine and after upgrading to Captain and bidding into Detroit he flew the Convair 440, Douglas DC-9 and Boeing- 727 aircraft. Del and Marianne built their first home hands-on in 1956 and raised their family there; three children, one dog, and a series of cats rescued by Missy from one or another trauma and brought home to live with us. Del's father, Del Sr. was a big help with electrical work and several friends assisted with other chores.. such as mixing concrete, hammering shingles, and painting. It came to pass that Marianne found herself pregnant and soon little Susan spent many days in her playpen on the cement floor of what was to become our living room. During these happy years Del also served as Company Check pilot, Chairman of the Master Executive Council representing the company before the Airline Pilots Association, and was active in negotiating a new contract for the pilots in later years. In 1977, after 20+ years of an unblemished career they decided to move back to Ft. Lauderdale to be closer to their aging parents and to enjoy a warmer climate. There Del served out his tenure, retiring in 1983 from Northwest Airlines due to a series of mergers along the way. After retirement Del got into real estate for a time where he could indulge his interest in learning new things and continue to be productive and entertained. He had many interests – he had enjoyed skiing in the northern clime, and he loved golf-he worked as a Marshall every year at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens--, scuba diving, fishing, and PEOPLE. Boating was his main love and he owned a series of Yachts the final one being "WATERWINGS", a 48' Hatteras that took family and friends on numerous trips to the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. He took Duke and Landon on a water journey to search for Stiltsville one summer that nearly ended in disaster as both Waterwings' engines and our dinghy's motor gave up the ghost and left Duke and Landon high and not-so-dry, unable to get back to the boat and us unable to get to them, stranded on somebody's dock a mile away. Exciting stuff!
Del was a light-hearted fun-loving man who was always ready to tell a joke and was known for his "life of the party" attitude. Ever ambitious, at the age of 75 he built practically single-handedly a marvelous tree house for Grandson Landon, and it became a haven from the rat race for both of them. Del was adventurous---life was never boring with him--- and he will be heartily missed and loved by his family, friends, and the occasional passerby who was often the object of his friendly people-loving curiousness.
Del was preceded in death by parents, Del Sr. and Emma; one daughter, Melissa McCormick (Randy); and a sister Beryl Mae Hendrickson. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Marianne; daughter Susan Harrell; son Duke Hendrickson III, ; two sisters, Vicki Funkhouser (Brad) and Jean Carol Troike (Ernie); and two grandchildren, Nyssa Hendrickson and Landon Weil.

There will be a Memorial Service for Del on Saturday, April 28th, at 1 o'clock at Faith Lutheran Church, 1161 SW 31st Avenue, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33312. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 5420 NW 33rd Avenue, Suite 100, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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February 17, 2013

Marianne Hendrickson

Almost a year since you climbed up the delirious burning blue after a long, long-suffering goodbye.It wasn't fair, it was too soon, and I miss you even more today. But our best time together is yet to come..
Happily ever after~Love never ends.

May 11, 2012

Yvonne Fleming

I am so sorry for your loss. I did not know him but I do know vicki and if they are anything alike he had to be fantastic. A loss is not easy but the pain does go away sooner or later. And then you have the fun memories that you share with everyone. God Bless you and I will be praying for you and your family.

May 9, 2012

,and to Vicki who has lost her brother.Keep all the happy memories of his life, they will bring you so much comfort. The Lord gave us memories so we can have roses in December. Love, Carol Funkhouser.

May 9, 2012

Claudia Mantilla

Vicki what a beautiful family...Please extend my condolences to all of them, specially your sister in law . I saw all his pictures....The only thing I know for sure..by looking at his pictures... He celebrate his life and knew how to shared it with his loved ones ..Mr. Del served his country....what a honor for us ...and he is just away !!! Claudia Mantilla.

May 4, 2012

Cap'n Del, cleared to your reward. Fly heading two seven zero. Altitude restriction is cancelled.

So Long, buddy...

Trig

May 1, 2012

Lou Murphy

Grief is a burden we bear for a while, and then one day we gently lay it down beside the road of Life, and carry on -- with our cherished memories of a life well lived to sustain us.

April 29, 2012

Jim Lee

Duke, first off, thank you for sharing these photos of your family. My condolences go out to your mom, Marianne, and the rest of your family. Looking over the photos, it appears that you all had the time of your lives growing up in Ann Arbor and then down in Florida, providing you all with great memories. You are undoubtedly a spitting image of your father.

Your friend,
Jim

April 28, 2012

Randy Sohn

Del was one of the greatest pilot groups that I've known, missing him a lot and thinking of you all.

April 27, 2012

Susan Harrell

Dad/Papa, we miss you so much...and we are so happy that you are finally free, free to fly with the angels! You were the biggest influence in my life, and in your grandsons' - from you we learned work ethic, family values, and to enjoy every day of life. We will be forever grateful for the education and for all of the love and support, year after year. Thank you for the lessons - golf, skiing, boating, driving, life, and so much more. Thank you for the treehouses, school projects, shopping advice, turkey carvings, and Christmas trees. Thank you for always being there and always taking care of us. What a life! Until we are all together again, fly high, be happy, and wait patiently for us!
All our love, forever and ever, Susan & Landon

April 27, 2012

Julie Bright

Dave and I will miss him. Always so lighthearted, fun and generous when we visited. I loved the pictures. What beautiful memories.

Cousin Julie and Dave Bright

April 27, 2012

Randi & Chris

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hendrickson family. God Bless,

April 27, 2012

Lilly Davis

I am so sorry for your loss and pray you will be comforted to know he is resting now. I was fortunate enough to have met him and witness the love and interaction you both shared. I can see why he held on so dearly...

April 26, 2012

Nyssa Hendrickson

We had so much fun together. I miss all his funny smiles and silly faces. He was the best Grandpa :)

April 20, 2012

Kirk FAUPEL

Thank you Del for all your help and good cheer. You were one of the "favorites" to fly with. Great guy, great memories.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results

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200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

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