BOURBON – Richard Allen Delp, 76, of Marshall County, died of natural causes in association with a long battle with Parkinson, at 11:58 p.m. Nov. 19, 2012, in Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home, Plymouth. He was born March 9, 1936, in Plymouth, to Raymond “Heinie” and Laura Yarian. Delp. On May 29, 1954, in the family’s country residence, he married Karen Ann Apple, who survives. He grew up in Bourbon, where he graduated in 1954. He and his wife first lived in Lafayette, where he attended Purdue University. Later they moved backed to Bourbon, where they founded Delp Electric Inc. in 1956. In 1964, he and Karen moved their family and their business to Plymouth. He was a member of the National Electrical Contracting Association and held licenses in Indiana, Michigan and West Virginia. His entrepreneurial spirit was a key component to the success of Delp Electric Inc. and integral for laying the foundation for Michiana Contracting Inc. As a couple, he and Karen loved to travel. He especially enjoyed the Southwest and Rocky Mountains camping with family or hunting with friends. He loved most spending time with family not only during holidays and birthdays but taking trips together. He and Karen not only were lucky to visit every state in the United States, several many times, but also Canada and Mexico. They enjoyed many trips abroad. He also participated in several mission trips to El Sembrador in Honduras. He was a proud member of Rotary International both locally and in the district. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and enjoyed attending international Rotary Conventions in France, Scotland, Germany, Korea and Canada. In 1996, he led a month-long GSE Rotary team to Japan for business and education professionals. Also surviving are two sons, Michael (and spouse Judy) Delp and David (and spouse Pam) Delp, all of Plymouth; a son-in-law, Don Wendel, Plymouth; a daughter, Deborah (and spouse Mark) Gidley, Plymouth; two “international” sons, Marcelo Suvelza, South Bend, and Ricardo Bonganhi, Brazil; nine grandchildren: Michael (and spouse Heather) Delp, Plymouth; Valerie (and spouse Joe) Medema, Schoolcraft, Mich.; Erica (and spouse Jay) Sefton, Fort Wayne; Matthew (and spouse Lisa) Gidley, Clovis, N.M.; Adam Delp, Florissant, Colo.; Laura (and spouse Zach) Scott and Shannon Gidley, all of Plymouth; Stacey (and spouse Jordan) Adams, Nappanee; and Anthony Delp, Corydon; 13 great-grandchildren: Taylor and Trey Delp; Brooke and Allyson Medema; Gage, Bryce, Drake and Ciera Sefton; Madeline Gidley; Grady and Maisy Scott; Branson and Emersyn Gidley-Adkins; and two more on the way; two sisters, Sandra (and spouse Garry) Lozier and Shirley Ball, all of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Krista Kay Delp. Services will be at 1:30 a.m. Sunday at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, 115 S. Main St., Bourbon, with Dr. Roger Thornton officiating. Burial be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon. Calling is from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to The Parkinson’s Association. Condolences may be sent via deatonclemensfh.com
