I remember Del. It is so fascinating to celebrate his memory on the same day that we celebrate Mack Marskey’s birth two years ago! As Del went out the door, Mack came in. it’s a mystery, but I like thinking about their connection. We are all connected in the web of life and death, coming and going, doors that open and close. His legacy is blessed, as is Mack’s step into just about everything

Memory can tell us only what we were,
In company with those we loved;
It cannot help us find out what each of us,
Alone, must now become.
Yet, no person is really alone;
Those who live no more still echo
Within our thoughts and words,
And what they did has become
Woven into what we are.

Poem by by Richard Fife 

From John Ferguson (Erin Brother),

I would like to extend our condolences to the Tischler famiy. I was able to talk to both Del and Dorthy when we re-engaged with our counsins a couple of years ago. Del and I discussed reusable rocket engines, travel to Mars, but he did not budge on my UFO question. It was interesting asking him about Wernher von Braun (Project Paper Clip) although his opinion of him was slighly less than favorable.

In hindsight, I wish I got to spend more time with Uncle Del as he was an incredible mind.  My last physical memory of him is when he carry me around (piggyback) as we walked through the Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC.

Uncle Del had an incredible life/career and his intellectually efforts have benefited all Americans both directly and indirectly.

John Ferguson

I am forever grateful for the energy Del gave to my children. Before they could walk he taught them about insects, butterflies and birds. Soon after came counting and grouping coins, then magnets, magnification, and electricity. He challenged them, inspired them and listened to them. Del was ninety-two when he met them. 

Del also wrote a letter to my kids of his experiences with their father, Mark Petsche. Mark admired and loved Del deeply. 

Del has touched and changed so many. He is a part of us. 

Nobody learns any lessons from the lessons other people learn.
Something that isn't worth doing isn't worth doing well.
If you're going to adandon a project better do it before you've spent so much money you can't afford to quit.
Don't confuse the means to your purpose with the end of your purpose.
Don't transpose wishful plans into a strategy with no logical intermediate steps.  
Never compromise safety; you can't get back.
No one ever got anywhere saving the government money.