October 16, 1934- July 25, 2022
On July 25, 2022 after a long illness, Mr. Delbert Lehto, age 87, passed away peacefully in his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. Mr. Lehto was born on October 16, 1934 in Oulu (Iron River), Wisconsin to Leonard Lehto and Aili (Similä) Lehto.
Delbert was an alumnus of University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned his degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation he came to the Washington area and worked at the Explosions Department of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in White Oak, MD. He remained at the White Oak Navy facility, through its several name changes, for the rest of his career. Delbert was accomplished in his field: he owned a patent and had many published technical works and journal articles.
At work he met fellow physicist Ruth Ann Larson. They fell in love and married in 1988. Del had no siblings and he was happy to be “Uncle Del” to Ruth Ann’s nieces and nephew, and to attend numerous family events.
In 1994 Del retired from his government career and began his retirement. Delbert and Ruth Ann traveled extensively, camping in the U.S. and Canada in their Ford-Falcon camper van. They also traveled to Europe several times, once to Germany and several times to Iceland, Norway and Sweden, where they met many of Ruth Ann’s distant relatives.
Mr. Lehto didn’t just research in the explosives field, as an amateur genealogist he enjoyed the challenge of researching his proud Finnish heritage, using the Finnish language that was his first language as a child. Delbert was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Colesville, MD. Delbert loved animals, especially cats. He was rarely seen without a cat by his side or sitting on his lap. Del and Ruth Ann’s compassion led to the rescuing of numerous cats throughout their time together.
In addition to his wife, Ruth Ann Larson, Mr. Lehto is survived by his brother-in law Kenneth Larson, his sister-in-law Janice Larson Razaq, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, friends, colleagues, and devoted cats.
A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church , 11612 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20904, on August 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Delbert Lehto’s name to Alley Cat Rescue (link below) or make checks payable to Alley Cat Rescue, Inc. and mail to Alley Cat Rescue, Inc., PO box 585, Mount Rainer, MD 20712, or to your favorite animal rescue group, or to St. Stephen Lutheran Church by writing a check sending to their mailing address, PO Box 4092, Silver Spring, MD 20914.
