Delbert (Del) Daniels Scriven, age 78, passed away Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at his home in Eureka, California with his wife of almost 56 years, Kathie, by his side.

Del was born August 12, 1940 on the Chiloquin, Oregon Indian Reservation to his mother Hazel Clara Weaver and father Delbert Adrian Scriven, with his maternal grandmother Clara May acting as midwife. Del was the oldest of four children. He was preceded in death by his parents and many aunts and uncles. He left behind his loving and devoted wife Kathie (Watts) Scriven, daughters Valerie McInroe (West Chester, PA) and Danise Begnaud (Los Alamos, NM), sons-in-law Phil McInroe and Mike Begnaud, grandchildren Ian, Daimy, and Colin McInroe and Eric, Daniel, and Carter Begnaud, brothers Gary and Vernon Scriven and sister Sharon Iwanick, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Del grew up in Oregon and northern California, having moved often. He graduated from Arcata High School in Arcata, California in 1958 and immediately served in the US Navy from 1958-1962 as a Radarman Third Class on the USS Duxbury Bay AVP-38. The “Dux” spent time in the Mediterranean and Middle East during Del’s service. Prior to his service in the Navy, he served in the National Guard in Humboldt County. Following his Naval service, he spent time in the Navy Reserves.

Del married Linda Katherine Watts (Kathie) on December 28, 1962 in Eureka, California and soon moved to the Sacramento, California area for school and work opportunities. Del attended and graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and earned his Teaching Credential in 1975. Del had a love of learning and took many college courses in various areas of interest from archaeology and geology to history and computer science. He taught for 25 years at Bowman Elementary School near Auburn, California, retiring in 2000. He and Kathie then moved back to Eureka, California for their retirement years. Del was a member of the Eureka Church of Christ and served as a deacon for a period of time. 

Del had eclectic interests from needlepoint to woodworking, in which he excelled, making fine furniture for his home and family. Del loved music, from Beethoven to Bluegrass, and loved playing his euphonium with the College of the Redwoods Concert Band, and playing in the Eureka area Tuba Christmas concerts. Del also loved playing his banjos and guitar. Del enjoyed reading, backpacking, hiking, and camping and long walks on the beach with his wife and dog by his side. His pride and joy were his two daughters, Valerie and Danise, who shared in many of his interests. Valerie shared his love of history, art, and genealogy and is proud to mention his early advocacy in the use of sign language and the Language and Education Association for the Deaf (LEAD) parent group. Danise shared his love for the outdoors, archaeology, and geology, and continues the camping and hiking tradition with her own family. She also shared his love of music, especially Beethoven concertos and symphonies. Del felt blessed when his daughters married his wonderful sons-in law, Phil and Mike, and was especially delighted in his six wonderful, talented grandchildren, who share his love of music, art, computer science, and history. He loved reading books with all of his grandchildren as they sat on his lap or side by side.

Del’s honorary pallbearers include his grandchildren Ian McInroe of Nashville, TN, Eric Begnaud of Los Alamos, NM, Daimy McInroe of Hartford, CT, Daniel Begnaud of Los Alamos, NM, Colin McInroe of West Chester, PA, and Carter Begnaud of Los Alamos, NM.

An informal Open House Memorial Gathering will be held in his honor at the Humboldt County Aquatic Center, 921 Waterfront Drive, Room 203 (elevator available), Eureka, CA, on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 3:00-5:00 pm. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be available; please feel free to bring a dessert to share.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Del’s name to Hospice of Humboldt in Eureka, California. The family would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Thomas Rydz and his staff and Sarah Vevoda and the nursing staff of Hospice of Humboldt.

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