Delbert Erhart
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Funeral Services for Delbert F. Erhart, 95, Linwood, KS will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011 at the Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. He died on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in rural Linwood, KS.
Delbert was born March 21, 1916 in Ness City, KS, the son of Andrew James Erhart and Lillie Maggie Conard Erhart.
His passion and career was aviation. He graduated from the Spartan School of Aeronautics A-E course with a two year Aero Engineering equivalent in 1941. He became the fixed base operator (FBO) and airport manager with shop facilities in Larned, Ks in 1945.
Delbert and his family moved to Lawrence, KS in 1951. He and his wife owned and operated Erhart Flying Service and Erhart Spraying Service as the full service fixed base operator (FBO) of the Lawrence Airport with complete maintenance and rebuilding facilities.
He held Inspection Authorization since its inception. He had his Commercial Pilot license with single and multi-engine land rating with Flight Instructor, Instrument and Instrument Instructor rating, and was a Private and Commercial pilot examiner.
During the 1951 flood in Lawrence, he flew airplanes off of 23rd street and US Highway 24, helping flood victims. He wasthe FBO in Lawrenceuntil 1971. During this time, he also managed the airports in St. Joseph, MO and Olathe, KS. On the 80th Anniversary of the Lawrence Municipal Airport he was recognized for his 20 years of leadership as Airport Manager and FBO. In 1973, he had to take medical retirement due to myocardial infarction. By the time he retired, he had logged over 10,000 hours flying.
Delbert married June Evangeline Ruehlen on September 8, 1940 in Valley Center, KS. After his retirement, they traveled the southern United States in their RV, enjoying walking the beaches of North Carolina and visiting bird sanctuaries in the southwest. Eventually (In 1980) they moved to Beaver Lake, AR. In 2000, they returned to Lawrence to be closer to family. She preceded him in death April 22, 2008. Also preceding him in death were his nine brothers and sisters.
Survivors include two daughters; Sue Pine and her husband, Roger, of Linwood, KS, Cindy Pratt and her husband, Wayne, of Scottsdale, AZ, a son, Jon Erhart and his wife, Debbie, of Dodge City, KS; six grandchildren; Shawn Pine (husband, Chris) Bay and Brian (wife, Kathy) Pine, of Lawrence, KS, Derek (wife, Robin) Pratt, of Seattle, WA, Katy Pratt (husband, David) Flosi, of Albuquerque, NM, Chelsea Erhart (husband, Phil) Moore, of Dodge City, KS, and Lindsay Erhart, of Lawrence, KS; and twelve great grandchildren. Delbert enjoyed working in the garden, woodworking, fishing, putting up sweet corn, and making Christmas candy. Thirty-two family members helped him celebrate his 95th birthday in style the weekend of March 12-13, 2011.
The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2011 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
The family suggests memorials in his name to the Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church or the LMH Endowment Association for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Thoughts and prayers are with you. I am not going to be able to attend the service. I am sick and it is just too soon after Dad’s passing. I just can’t handle it emotionally. I have such fond memories of Aunt June and Uncle Del. Whether it was at Beaver Lake or out at the farm when they visited Mom and Dad, one thing was for sure, there was always, always lots of laughter! Love you all,
Jacque Neidig Weber
Uncle Del tought me how to water ski. That was 46 years ago. I have not forgotten that he took the time to do that, or that I was afraid not to succeed under his watch. I have so many woderful memories of Uncle Del, not the least of which is his smile. What a way to go. Quickly and surrounded by your loved ones is perfect.
We will miss him.
Barry and Donna
Jon, Sue, and the Erhart Family…My family’s thoughts are with you!
Nadine called me last night to tell me of your father’s passing. Reading his obituary and seeing his handsome picture brought back a flood of memories. What a wonderful man he was. I so remember the time during a snowy winter day when our dads took us to the airport. They tied ’sleds’ to the back of a pick-up truck and pulled us all over the snow-covered landing field. Remember the ’cabin’ we built in the back yard with the flats they provided for us? Remember when you flew over our country home and dropped a small parachute with a message to me? We were so lucky to have such wonderful parents who helped provide such wonderful memories. Love to all of you during this time of loss and reflection.
Brought to mind is “It’s a Wonderful Life”, this timeless treasure from Frank Capra . . . Our Beloved Delbert has so many friends and loved ones who are blessed . . . Since early this Sunday morning April 3, the bell can be heard ringing ever louder. I love you forever Aunt June and Uncle Delbert your gift of endless love and self. God be with you. Kay, X O
Brought to mind is “It’s a Wonderful Life”, this timeless treasure from Frank Capra . . . Our Beloved Delbert has so many friends and loved ones who are blessed . . . Since early this Sunday morning April 3, the bell can be heard ringing ever louder. I love you forever Aunt June and Uncle Delbert your gift of endless love and self. God be with you. Kay, X O
So sorry to hear of your loss. The world lost a great aviation enthusiast!
Dear Family of Delbert,
We share in the sorrow of your loss. He was such a special man. He was so dearly loved and had so many life experiences. I know you will miss him terribly. What a wonderful reunion he has had though!
Love
Rodger and Sheryl Henry
What a great guy! We often think of him as wwe use the bottle opener he made for us. With our love to all the family from John and Shirley in the UK
It feels like I’ve known your parents almost since I first met Gary. I remember my first visit to the airport and their home. And through the years we’ve been fortunate to see them regularly. They were both wonderful people!
I know how much you miss your mother and will now miss your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Dear Jon, Debbie & Family:
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of your Dad. We sincerely
appreciate his pioneering spirit & accomplishments in the aviation industry he has done for the rest of us.
Our Prayers,
Johnny & Leveta Crist
Farmers Aviation
So sorry to hear of the loss of your father. We know how difficult it is to lose a parent.Only time will help heal the sorrow you feel. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Steve and Donna(Wise)Begshaw
I am sorry to hear about Delbert. June and Delbert were a wonderful couple. I know that they were of great comfort to Jane ane we enjoyed our visits to the lake.
Dear Sue,
I was sorry to hear of the death of your Dad. I lost my Dad in Sept. I don’t know about you, but Dad sure taught me a lot. I think that I was more like him than I was like my Mom, who died 7 years ago. I hope that you are well. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Mimi