Lance Smith
I have fond memories of Delbert from growing up across the street from the Vieregges. As youngsters, Delbert would take Mark and me with him on trips to the Columbia Sportsman Club for fishing or to feed the fish and he would treat us to sodas in the clubhouse while there. As we got a little older, Delbert and my dad, Vernon, would sometimes get a large jar of draft beer “to go” from Freimuth’s Tavern and they would sit on Delbert’s patio and listen to the Cardinal game on the radio. They would keep the jar in the refrigerator to keep it cold on a summer evening and, unbeknownst to them, Mark and I would sample from the jar while they were on the patio (I can share this now that they are both gone!). But the event I recall most fondly was after the big snow of January 30th, 1982. Mark had a party at the Sportsman Club that Saturday night and several of the party goers were stranded there after the record snowfall. I was working at the Kroger Bakery that Saturday evening, so I was not at the party and I ended up on Delbert’s rescue team with Vernon the next day. We were in Delbert’s pickup about to leave for the Sportsman Club when Delbert went back into house and came back with some liquid refreshments and put them into the snow in the back of the truck. There was no need for a cooler that day! Upon arriving at the Sportsman Club, Delbert used the tractor to plow the hill to the clubhouse and to tow vehicles to ensure everyone was able leave the Sportsman Club safely. It was a fun day and Delbert was in his element on that tractor.
These are memories that I will never forget!
Rest in peace Delbert! You led a long and blessed life and I’m glad that you’re back with Glenda now.
Lance Smith