Delburn Eugene Carpenter

You may join a zoom meeting of Del's service if you are unable to attend in person on October 14th.

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Del's Memorial Service

Meeting ID: 932 3379 0475
Passcode: CVUU

Delburn Eugene Carpenter, 80, of Cedar Falls, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at UPH/Allen Hospital of Waterloo, from injuries sustained in a one-car accident. Del was a beloved husband, father, grandfather "Opa", brother, and friend. He was born April 11, 1943, in Wayne, Michigan, son of Everett Burton and Dorothy Eva (Mishler) Carpenter.  Everett was killed in action in France in 1945 and Dorothy later married Herman Fritz.  Del graduated from West Bend High School, then earned his BA and later an MA at the University of Northern Iowa. On May 29, 1970, he married Christine Brinkmann at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County.  Del worked for the Social Security Administration for 34 years before retiring in 2008.

Del was preceded in death by his parents, Everett Carpenter and Dorothy (Herman) Fritz; and his brother, Franklin Fritz.  He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Christine; their daughter, Gail Christine Carpenter Baggett and her husband, Benjamin, of Corvallis, Oregon; 2 grandchildren, Johannah Joy and Andrew Alder Baggett; and his sister, Carol Carpenter Rasmussen.

Del's Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Cedar Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (CVUU) with visitation one hour prior to the service. Masks are encouraged. In lieu of flowers, please direct Memorials to the Cedar Valley Unitarian Universalist Church or to the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund http://www.stopbreastcancer.org/

Del was an active member of the CVUU Church, serving on the Board and many committees. He was a member of the Cedar Falls Public Library Book Club, the 5 & 10 Tycoons Investment Club and the Town and Gown Supper Club.  He was an avid chess player, playing up to 15 different online games at a time. He loved music, sang in the church choir, dabbled in a variety of musical instruments and loved to play his collection of instruments with his grandchildren. He stood with Christine in her passion to end deaths from breast cancer and referred to himself as the "support system for a breast cancer advocate".  Aside from his love for family, Del most enjoyed windsurfing and could often be found at George Wyth Lake or competing in races throughout the Midwest. He windsurfed or land sailed every month for the last 30 years and windsurfed in all 50 states and several countries. Del was a friendly man of character and wisdom who liked to share his thoughts with others.