Delbert Victor Boutwell Jr.

Delbert Victor Boutwell, Jr., 89, passed away peacefully on February 5th at his Market Street home in Palm Coast, Florida. Del was born in Topeka, Kansas on April 23, 1934 to Delbert Victor Boutwell, Sr. and Elva Lucille Aley Boutwell. Del was the second of three sons; Victor Stanton Boutwell, being the eldest, and Rodney Darryl Boutwell the youngest.

Del’s wife of 58 years Elizabeth Bruton (Blake) who was the love and light of his life sadly passed away in 2019. Del was also predeceased by his father in 1996, his mother in 1981, and his eldest brother Victor in 2003. Surviving are Loraine Smith Boutwell, (Victor’s wife), Rodney, his wife Mary Anne (Molumby) and their children, Michael, Erin, Laura, Emily and grandchildren.

Delbert Sr. moved the family to Silver Spring, Maryland in the early 40’s to accept a position with the US Government Printing Office in Washington DC which became his lifetime career until retirement. Del attended schools there and in high school joined the band as a trumpet player and discovered his natural talent for music and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of traveling for performances. He graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1952 and went on to attend University of Maryland majoring in Electrical Engineering and while there he was initiated into the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Unsure of a life direction he decided to join the Navy in 1954. He became a naval aviator and flew as a Hurricane Hunter. While based in Jacksonville, FL he met the love of his life Elizabeth. He was discharged from the Navy in 1956, and attended Gettysburg college majoring in Physics and Mathematics, while Elizabeth attended Stetson University. After both graduated, in 1961 they were married in the Riverside Avenue Christian Church where they were both members.

Del’s technical skills being in high demand at the time, provided him a quick entry into the exploding technology of mainframe computing which seeks to transition the business world from paper to digital. He worked for technology companies such as IBM, Recognition Equipment Inc., Computer Sciences Corporation, Viar & Co, VSE Corporation, CST, Documentation Incorporated, and Electronic Data Systems, etc. A typical project for EDS, a Texas equipment and software company headed by Ross Perot, would assume the following model: A. potential sales target would be identified B. Del would go into the company and gather information on business operations and return to his team at EDS. C. Del’s team would analyze the data and determine the requirements and costs. D. Ross and Del return to the target for presentation. Ross pitches the economics and advantages of the transition and Del pitches the technical process and implementation. Ross then proposes the plan and costs. E. Assuming a sale, Del is responsible for placing the equipment, getting things up and running, and training the operators.

Del was a warm and personable soul who enjoyed the company of people and would easily engage in conversation. He was incurably curious with multifaceted interests and was a quick study which allowed for his swift mastery of knowledge and skills. He was truly compassionate with a sincere desire to help others. Del and Elizabeth both shared a deep love of animals and surrounded themselves with dogs and cats. They were members of the Kennel Club, owned and showed their registered breeds, a Bisenji, a Doberman Pinscher, a Tibetan Spaniel, and a Chihuahua, often winning awards.

Del and Elizabeth owned an Alberg Sloop on which they sailed the eastern coast to New England and returned to their home base in Annapolis, Maryland. The boating community in Annapolis was lively and loads of fun with onboard cookouts and folks hopping from deck to deck.

He was an avid photographer with professional skills and equipment, and developed and printed his own photos with impressive results. He took many photos from their travels throughout the US, the Caribbean, and Europe.

An interest in ham radio acquired from his background in electronics and radio communication skills while in the Navy as an aviator, enthusiastically led him to obtain a license, put together a station, N4EYV, and go on the air. Del himself built some of the specialized components necessary to operate, and his logbook is filled with contacts as far away as California.

He continued to pursue his many other interests which included cooking of different regional and international dishes and was quick to surprise with a delightful creation from his extensive library of cookbooks. Meals were often accompanied by exotic concoctions from his comprehensive wine and liquor collection.

Del’s love of music blossomed in the 1950s and steadily developed into a nuanced sophistication and appreciation of all types of music. Over a period of 5-10 years he took organ lessons and periodically upgraded to a more advanced instrument. While eventually perfecting his playing skills he acquired a top line Lowery organ with multiple keyboards and foot pedals suitable for a small to medium size church. Elizabeth was blind and in failing health at the time so he was able to play for her in the waning years.

His other interests of note were philosophy, history and genealogy, a love of sports cars owning an Alpha Romeo and a BMW, home maintenance and landscaping, among many other varied activities.