Delbert AMUNDSEN

Dear Nanci,Gwen and families: We have just heard of your Dad's passing.
We spent a lot of time with Del in Switzerland and Malaysia as well as at home in North Vancouver and Langley and Abbotsford. We have so many wonderful memories of him. Not only a real gentleman but a warm and caring friend who enjoyed life to the hilt.
May he rest in peace..we'll miss you.
Sam and Pat Pattison

I first met Del some 23 years and a few months ago. I had arrived in Vancouver for the first time and not only did he welcome me into his home but he also accepted my request to marry his daughter Nanci. As a result I have always considered Del to have been a good judge of character!

That summer I was fortunate enough to spend time in Vancouver and while Nanci was busy at work Del and I would watch the baseball and he would explain the finer points of the game. We would discuss many things but mainly I have to confess we would discuss what I was going to do to support Nanci! What I was to learn that summer and for the 23 years following was that Del was a wonderful listener.

When Nanci and I married Del became my father in Law but in reality he became my friend and I his. Nanci and I have been fortunate enough to spend Christmas's and holidays with Del in Kuala Lumpur, Kenya and Hawaii as well as at home in Norfolk and in Vancouver. He always enjoyed Christmas and once Jack was born and then Rosie Christmases became even more important to him and he would always arrive in time for the carol service at the school and would create all sorts of culinary delights for the holidays. They will never be the same.

Once he had retired he would stay with us for about six months of the year something quite unique as far as I can gather from my friends. Del never overstayed his welcome but sadly as far as we were concerned he always understayed it - despite our urges for him to stay longer.

Our home was always full of anticipation in the countdown before Del arrived and always subdued in the weeks before he left. Even our dog Bullseye sensed something was about to happen. There is now a big hole, which will take some time to get used to.

I will miss Dels cooking! Coming home from work to find another creation he had found on the internet was always a pleasure despite our ongoing discussion about the merits of cooking the vegetables in the main dish or having them on the side!

I shan't miss his cooking! I am partly the man I am today as a result of Del's cooking and maybe now I can rediscover the slightly lighter man I once was.

I will miss the interest he showed in the work I was doing and even at the end he would still find the time to ask me how things were going.

I will miss his pruning and his advice in the garden. I have pruned his vine this year and while not as good as how he would have done it, it looks like we will be getting many, many grapes.

I will miss our discussions regarding DIY jobs, more often than not we would have a difference of opinion, but in the end we would get there and our home is filled with his work - a lovely memory.

I will miss seeing him come through our gate in his little white citroen van and wearing his beret.

I will miss our trips to France and eating wild boar at the Petite Fontaine - and hearing about the places where he had been on his travels.

But most of all I will miss our chats in the morning over coffee, sitting at home overlooking the garden, he with Bullseye on his lap, still discussing world and economic issues, he was an avid reader of the economist, the children, my work he was never dismissive, never critical, always interested and always always understanding. But most of all he would listen – he was such a good listener.

Safe journey my friend - I will miss you greatly - you will always be in my thoughts.

We were sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad, we trust God will give your family Peace through this trying time. Love (Cousin - Irvin and Elaine Amundson (Omund and Inga Amundson oldest Son)

We were sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. From Wayne and Mary Ruth Amundson and family, and Great Uncle Joseph Amundson (Calgary).

Nanci & Gwen, so sorry to hear about your dad. Hope you are faring well.