Visiting with Dorothy and Sandra this summer in Massachusetts brought real life stories of Del, his esteemed career and the first old days in Maryland. Dorothy holds Del’s memory in such clarity and respect.

Marc and family,

Yoshiko and I were sad to hear about Del's passing. We really would liked to have had the opportunity to attended his funeral. We enjoyed our discussions with Del whenever our paths crossed for family events in Cleveland. We have warm memories of visiting Dottie and Del in Bethesda and the long talks on ancestry to building his first house to efficient propulsion.

His contributions to space travel were amazing. We think of them often. Both my kids applied to Case Western Reserve University and had to do some research on Del to find his degrees and graduation dates for their own applications. My son found them here on this site.

From your brother's family - well done A.O. Tischler!

David, Yoshiko, Lauren, and Douglas Tischler

Sending comfort & appreciation to all the Tischlers and Saners. It’s bittersweet remembering our loved one- Del- yet it’s a joy to think that he is free of the shenanigans of dealing with this time of history! May he rest in peace.

Dear Marc,

We are sorry to hear of Mr Tischler's passing. Our family will miss him very much. Your dad and my father Dah Yu Cheng were friends and colleagues for many years. (In fact he passed away fairly recently in December)

When I was growing up in Palo Alto during the late 1970s, your dad visited quite frequently and I have many memories of him because of the times he spent with our family. He would give me tips on playing the piano when I was first learning and practicing. He would also watch TV with us during the evenings and his commentary was always from a scientific point of view especially when we watched movies based on things that could never possibly happen in real life.

I once remarked to my dad, "A lot of people joke about this, but Mr. Tischler is a rocket scientist for real!"

Ching & Marjorie Cheng

It is wonderful when memories can keep us going about our parents. For it was my Father's love of baseball and the first time I watched a game with him.  To the family of Mr Tischler continue to join together to share memories. I pray for the family to have peace and be comforted by our heavenly Father. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

To the entire Tischler family (but particularly Sandra)…

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how special and how brilliant your Dad was. Mr. Tischler (hey – I was a kid and kids called adults “Mr.”!) was always very warm to me. I never had any real idea what he did, but I knew it took genius and that he worked incredibly hard. He motivated all of the Tischler kids, and was a great role model. I really appreciated the opportunity to be able to hang around at your house through-out Junior High and High School! I felt very fortunate to spend time with your Dad the weekend of our 40th reunion. We really had a great talk. Your Dad had a nice sense of humor. He really was an interesting, nice, amazing guy. I know you will miss him.

Mrs. Tischler (Dottie) – I particularly want to thank you for helping to raise me. You were always incredibly warm to me. I LOVED talking to you growing up. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. I know he was your close companion, and he will be missed!!

Audrey (Bergman) Gajus

Sandra - so sorry for your loss. I loved reading about your father - what an incredible man, who lived a full and accomplished life. Thank you for sharing his life story with us - God bless. Frances

Sandra, Paul, Katelyn and Jenna,
Robin and I were so sorry to hear about your loss. We know how difficult it is to lose a parent or a grandparent, but also know that you will be comforted by the memories of good times with him and the knowledge that he lived a long and remarkable life. We have you, Sandra's mom and the rest of your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 
With love, Robin & Mel

Sandra, Dottie, Craig, and Marc,

I have so many memories of Del up at the Lake sitting quietly in a corner of the living room or outside on a lawn chair, always looking off at some undetermined point in the distance. He did not look wistful or sad or full of longing, the way you might expect someone to appear when gazing into the distance.

Instead, he had the look of someone who had a million cogs turning, of someone who held a problem in the palm of his mind and turned it over and over and over again until he discovered its answer, gleaned its solution. And every time I noticed him doing this—which was almost all the time—he had the tiniest smile on his lips, as if he couldn’t hide the pleasure this mind-turning brought him.

I’m sorry that I won’t get to watch him do this anymore, but I’m grateful to have known him and grateful to know that the world is a better, more interesting place because of his gifts. 

Sending you love and peace in your heartbreak. Lynne

Sandra, so sorry to hear the news about your Dad. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time - Emily

My father will be remembered by most as the rocket scientist who helped pioneer space exploration and land man on the moon. Intensely analytical, deeply committed, always humble. 

But I will remember him as my loving DAD. He loved his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Dorothy, and his 3 children (a) Craig, (b) Marc and his wife Angela and (c) Sandra and her husband Paul and their daughters Katelyn and Jenna, and by his sister Arlene. 

I will love and miss my Dad always.

Your daughter, SANDRA

Del was a remarkable man of enormous stature and deep commitments. He was my uncle- husband to our mom's only sister- and I learned of his academic brilliance and personal humility as a child. He never boasted about his work, yet as a NASA chemical engineer was one of the key contributors to getting a man to the moon in the early days of the Apollo Space Program. Look him up- so impressive! He was very quiet at family gatherings, yet his presence was strong. I remember meeting his mother in Cleveland- she was a fascinating and powerful woman. I also knew that Del loved photography and hiking in National Parks. He had the fancy equipment to take exquisite photographs of the natural world. He also loved watching Sunday football and decoding the team strategies therein. As I grew into adulthood, I came to know Del as a caring family member who celebrated both his and my own family with sincerity and appreciation. I grew to learn of his insights into health concerns and many other things. Most of all, I noticed Del with his strong ties with his family. His devotion to my wonderful and cherished aunt in their many decades of marriage, and his love for his successful children and grandchildren. Much love and comfort I send to Dorothy and Marc, Sandra and Craig. Del Tischler lived a long and fascinating life! He passed over on the same day that our grandson- Mack Walcott Marskey- was born in Chico, California! We hope that Del's legacy will open up doors of personal greatness for our little man. I will always remember how humble Del was in light of his enormous contributions to space science & technology. Thank you to Marc for launching this page to pay tribute to Del's life and legacy!

Sandra:

Our sincere condolences to you and your family on your Father's passing. He lived an incredibly long and full life. NASA's motto seems an appropriate tribute for his life's contributions: "For the Benefit of All."

Ken & Laura

Dear Marc,
I am truely sorry for your loss. Even though we never met your father, but you shared with us many wisdom and life experience you learnd from him. It benefited all of us who work in your team. Your daddy was very fortunate with so many great Accomplishment in his well lived life. We know you will celebrate his life with pride and dignity and continue his legacy.

I said some Buddhist's prayers for your daddy. May Buddha's blessing light shining on him and may your beloved daddy Rest In Peace.

Marc,
I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I believe he just went to a different place and started a new life there, like my dad did. He will not be forgotten. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Marc,
I always enjoyed the little stories you shared with us about your dad. Through you, we can see that he is a great and beloved father, a successful and respectful scientist. His wisdom and spirit will live on.

Marc, it is great to see all of the accomplishments your father had in his life. And probably, best of all is you. Your love for him and your tribute says it all. Thank you for spreading that knowledge and wisdom to us. He was a great man.

Dear Marc,
I am sorry to hear about your dad. I always wanted to discuss with him about engineering in general.
Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Yoshi Tsunoi

Marc, I always enjoyed the tidbits you shared over the years of your dad’s insights and values, professional or personal. I feel like I knew him in some way. Through your eyes, I grew to regard him as a dad’s dad and a model for every man. I know you will miss him immensely and I hope you will keep his spirit alive by continuing to pass on his legacy of life lessons. -Matthieu

Mrs. Tischler,

As we discussed, a 1,000 years from now, when they teach the history of the 20th Century, the only thing they will mention is man's landing on the moon. Your husband played an important role in the most important event of his era. He was fortunate to have such meaningful work, and we are all indebted to his effort. We share your loss, but rejoice in a life well-lived.

By the way you reflect on your memories with him, it is clear to me how much you love your dad and how important he is to you.

Marc,
I never met your Dad, but it always felt like I knew him through you. His ethics, his regard for the truth, and his wisdom - all this lives on.
Vadim