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Delbert Boarts Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Delbert Boarts
John McComb
June 6, 2010
I first met Del when I was in high school in State College and he provided technical help with some of our productions. As a theatre arts major at Penn State, I worked with him regularly and I also spent some of my most enjoyable moments socializing with him. Del is one of my fondest memories of Penn State. John McComb, PSU Class of 1969
February 2, 2010
Delbert was one of my closest friends at RVHS. Was so glad that the two of you came to our last reunion. We so enjoyed the meeting at your home and all the photos he shared with us.He was so much fun to be with. Many Memories Always. Lucille Walls Procious
Fred Helsel
February 2, 2010
Vonny & Family -
Though I never worked closely with Del, all of us who worked in the theater department are saddened to hear of his passing. He was a Merlin like character who showed up during tech week and brought his magic to each production. My condolences.
Gretchen Walker
February 2, 2010
Vonny and Chris -
My warm, fuzzy thoughts are with you both. As I said to Chris earlier, nothing was more entertaining than touring Del's office with the University Fire Marshall....
He was such a wonderful resource and theatres throughout the country are lucky to have the students he mentored.
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Tony Romain
February 1, 2010
Vonny,
I am grateful for having Del in my life. I vividly recall my days in the basement with Del. His gift to me was rekindling my passion for learning about the past. I remember listening to vintage recordings on equipment that others had discarded. I remember visits to the salvage sale; and wondering what we would create next. My condolences to you and your family.
Tony Romain "T.Ro" 1990 BFA
Casey Sams
February 1, 2010
Dear Vonny,
You and Del both were such important parts of my young adulthood - you through the church youth group, and Del though the theatre department. I remember how surprized I was when I learned you two were married! My thoughts and fondest wishes are with you.
Patty Toretti
January 29, 2010
Dear Vonny,
So sorry to read of Del's passing. He was a mentor for so many of us.
Kenton Yeager
January 27, 2010
Vonny,
A week does not go by when I do not think of something that Del had taught me. He was truly one of my most important mentors and I am very grateful to have had him be such an influence on my life.
My condolences to you.
Kenton Yeager
Michael Connolly
January 27, 2010
Dear Vonny,
I am very sorry to hear of Del's death. His lair in the basement of the theatre building and his presence there formed an important retreat where I could go to talk with a wise man about sound, art, and the making of theatre. He had a profound impact on my sense of theatre-making and, as another entry has already offered, on the importance of thinking things through to their logical ends.
I'll always remember Del with great fondness.
Thomas Hague
January 27, 2010
Dear Vonny,
I am sorry to hear of Del's passing. He was a character who brought a smile to anyone who crossed his path. Del taught me how to troubleshoot a problem, probably the single, most important lesson I learned at Penn State. My sympathies to you and your family.
George Brown
January 27, 2010
Dell was an important part of my time at Penn State. He will be missed.
Glenn Merwede
January 26, 2010
Dear vonny,
I was so sorry to hear of Del's passing. He was a tremendous asset to my education at PSU and he will be sorely missed.
Glenn Merwede, NYC
Anne-Marie Johnson
January 26, 2010
Dearest Vonny, I am so very sorry to read about Delberts passing. My thoughts are with you, Chris, and the rest of your family at this time.
Pam Getty
January 26, 2010
Dear Vonnie and Chris,
I can't begin to tell you what an impact Del had on my life. I learned so much from him enabling me to be a successful sound engineer and designer for many years; knowledge I still use to this day.
I spent 2 wonderful years and a couple of summers with him in the basement. He is the reason I got my MA in Theatre from PSU which also resulted in meeting Bob Getty who is now my husband.
Thank you for sharing him with all of us. Love to you both and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pam (Nunnelley) Getty
January 26, 2010
Vonny:
As the youngest cousin to Del, I have very fond memories of my childhood spent in New Bethlehem. My Uncle Gene and Aunt Maude (Del's parents) always made me feel so special as a little girl. Del invited me, my sister and brother to New Bethlehem for a mini "cousin" reunion. Del was so excited with us being there. He had his computers up and running showing us all the family pictures he was compiling for CD's for each of us to have. It was quite a committment on his part. This is what he was so good at. He was a good, decent guy and will be missed.
Cousin Sidney Dickerson
Phil Reigh
January 26, 2010
Dear Vonny,
I'm saddened to hear of Del's passing. I have fond memories of our many chats at the sound lab at PSU. He was one of the good guys and I will miss him. Take care.
Dan McGeachy
January 26, 2010
Dear Vonny,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family - you and Del have meant so much to me! The Wagon Train, and your contributions to it, remain the peak experience of my life.
Much love and sympathy,
Dan McGeachy
Sarah Derber
January 26, 2010
Vonnie,
I was so sorry to see that Del had passed away. My sincerest condolences to you and Chris.
January 26, 2010
Dear Family, Allow me to share condolences with you, I am so glad we had the opportunity to visit recently. I have many fond memories of visiting NB as a child, and of course Deb was the focal point for me. I wish you well in the future and will always appreciate hering from you.
- Uncle Del (Delbert W Heffelfinger)
Stu Chamberlain
January 26, 2010
Del was absolutely the best at what he did, and he and Vonny were good friends to our family. I offer my sincerest condolences.
Kerry Palanjian
January 26, 2010
The contributions he made to the Bicentennial Wagon Train Show, sponsored in 1976 by the State of Pennsylvania, and produced by Penn State's Department of Theatre and Film, will survive him for decades. His ongoing work after the Show ended in 1976, including his work with the 30th reunion of this show in 2006 was great. He was a good person, down to earth, and truly enjoyed his work and those he met over the years. Literally tens of thousands of Americans enjoyed the show that he contributed so greatly to. I was glad to have him be a part of the 30th reunion and will be sorry to not see him at the 35th. Our thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends. Kerry Palanjian, Wagon Train Show Troupe #5
Susan Lavallee
January 26, 2010
Dear Vonny and Chris, I have fond memories of New Bethlehem, visiting Aunt Maude, Uncle Gene and cousin Deb in the early years. I am so happy that Del, Sid, Marty and I got to visit with Deb a few years ago. It had been 50 years since we had seen each other!!We so appreciated all his efforts in making the wonderful archives of our family. He took special joy in showing us pictures of his grandson, Stig. I know he will be greatly missed.
Sent with love and sympathy, Sue Heffelfinger Lavallee cousin
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