Delbert Richard Hayward Sr.

1936 - 2022

On Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, Delbert Richard Hayward Sr. peacefully passed away at age 85 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.

Del was born to Frank R. Hayward Sr. and Alice Hayward on Dec. 19, 1936, and grew up in Metlakatla, Alaska, with his siblings, Drena Ludlow, Franklin, Eldon, Cecilia and Randolph. He was from the Killer Whale Clan. His mother passed away when he was 8 years old and his father remarried Alma Nelson and had eight more children: Richard Fawcett, Nancy, Royce, Victoria Wagner, Evelyn Dickerson, Sandra King, Byron, Blaine and Trudi Refour.

Early on, Del worked as a commercial fisherman on his father's seine boats. Del and his brothers were taught the art of boat building and repair by his father and were known for building seine skiffs. Del graduated from Sheldon Jackson High School in Sitka, Alaska, where he played on the high school basketball team. His love for basketball ran strong and he became an avid fan of the LA Lakers. He also loved to watch his nieces and nephews play high school basketball whenever he could.

He met Martha Littlefield in Metlakatla, and they were married in Aug. 15, 1959. Del and Martha moved to Los Angeles, California, where he attended a two-year tech school. After graduating in 1964, he worked for RCA and was stationed in Fairbanks at the NOAA Gilmore Creek Tracking Station where he worked for 37 years until his retirement in 2001.

Del and Martha raised five children together: Rich, Yvonne, Tom, Les and Scott. He joined the Fairbanks Outboard Association in the early 1970s and went on to build and race several river boats. Although never wanting to be in the limelight, he was successful and won many races including the Yukon 800 Marathon twice in his boat the "Scottie H," named after his youngest son. He loved being out on a boat and spent time herring fishing as the captain of a friend's gill netter near Togiak, Alaska, for many years. He also owned his own saw sharpening business for many years.

After 35 years of marriage, Martha passed away in December 1994. Delbert remarried Esther Roberts from Minto, Alaska, in November 1996. He welcomed Esther's family into his family, and they eventually moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where he helped run her kuspuk sewing business. They were married 24 years until Esther passed away in August 2020.

Delbert was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was generous and wanted the best for his entire family, who he spent much time with. He especially loved to take his grandkids camping and fishing in Seward, Valdez and Chitna.

Del leaves behind a total of 11 children, 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Delbert will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. A memorial will be announced by the family at a later time.