Dear Family & Friends,
Del Kuhn, passed away on Wednesday March 24, 2021 at a young 95 years old. The only reason we feel such profound loss is because we had such a profound blessing.

Early Years: Del was born in 1925 in Wisconsin, a child of the Great Depression, where he learned many lessons that carried him well throughout his life. Waste not. Be grateful. Del served in the U.S. Navy during WWll in the Pacific. Today they are referred to as ‘The Greatest Generation’ which he felt uncomfortable being called. He refused to wear a ‘WWll veteran’ cap, saying he didn’t do anything special, whereas others gave their lives. Only until recently, he relented and humbly wore his cap, on Veteran’s or Memorial holidays. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in California and loved the weather and palm trees so he decided to stay.

Motorcycle career: Del developed an interest in off-road motorcycle ‘scrambles’ desert racing, now called ‘motocross’ in which he excelled 1947-1954. In 1998, he was inducted into the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was also inducted to the National American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame (AMA) for his achievements during his 1950s racing career. See their websites for more information. Generally, he was quiet and humble, but he DID like to show off his big AMA HoF personalized ring to anyone who expressed interest.

Del would tease saying that part of his DNA was a competitive spirit. It was the thrill of racing motorcycles! His favorite bike in the 1950s was the popular British AJS or Matchless. About 10 years ago, he started to share stories of his racing years. I felt compelled to create a website to document his stories to remember those early ‘motocross’ years by honoring him and other racers, the legends & ‘greats’ and including those we called ‘honorable mentions.’ Also included on the website are details of the events. (TheGrandfathersofMotocross.com)

Although a quiet and humbled man who did not like people making a fuss over him, there was only a handful of things he was proud of and would share. He was proud of winning the winter challenging 1952 Big Bear Hare & Hound race sponsored by the Orange County Motorcycle Club, after trying six times. Also winning 3rd place at the 1951 Catalina Grand Prix, being one of 2 who laid out the island’s race course. Plus being the only 3-time winner of the infamous and rigorous 2 day Greenhorn Enduro sponsored by the Pasadena Motorcycle Club.

Del ALWAYS looked forward to going to the long-time established TRAILBLAZERS Motorcycle Club annual banquet as the spirit of ‘bikes, competition & camaraderie’ was clearly present among the 500-600 attendees. I know he treasured the new friendships of the motorcycle world and especially of those, which he was a part of. You know, he was never really one for ‘bench racing’ but I bet he’s with his buddies in heaven, doing just that! “Yeah, who went faster?”

CHP career: Now it was post-WWll and Del decided that though he loved racing motorcycles, he knew he had to get a paying job. In 1948, Del joined the Long Beach Police Dept. and in 1951 he joined the California Highway Patrol (#1182). He was assigned to various offices, East L.A., Quincy, Compton (South L.A.) and Norwalk (Santa Fe Springs). He was assigned to ‘motors’ early in his career and loved that he got paid to do what he loved. He used to joke about it saying that he “Would have done it for free but don’t tell the State that.” Later promoted, he enjoyed being a sergeant, saying that he respected the officers enough to let them do their job and step in when they didn’t or couldn’t.

During his CHP career, Del had several assignments where the CHP loaned him to Hollywood to make safety films in the 1950s. One of the films was a featured film released nation-wide, titled, “Devil Take Us.” Del was the lead actor in it playing a CHP officer. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award in 1953 in 2 categories. Del ever modest, didn’t mention this to anyone until we had been married 30 years and as he said, he didn’t mention it because “It lost.” Yes, lost to Disney. Eventually, we were able to get a copy of the movie and viewed it at a birthday party. As we viewed this now vintage movie starring handsome Del, we laughed and teased about his acting skills. Del never to take life too seriously, laughed the loudest.

In recent years, Del joined the CHP retirees Old Guys Breakfast Club and would look forward to getting together as the ‘blue & gold’ camaraderie was still there. Attending were the newly retired, the long retired and him, the long-long-long most senior retiree of all. Most wanted to know his secret for his retirement longevity. He usually answered, “Never smoked, had a beer now & then, watched my weight, did a little physical work every day and have a wife who keeps me young.”

Del lost his first wife of 25 years, Toni, to cancer. He and his teenage son, Kurt, became even closer, later Kurt married Nancy and raised his own family.

Del retired as a CHP sergeant in 1979 with me, his then young bride of 1 year. After retirement, he raised his second family, having a second chance at ‘fatherhood.’ Del lived long enough, not only to see them grow up and be proud of them but to also have 2 grandsons. Yes, he had been retired over an amazing 40+ years and had great health up to his February fall.

Interests: His interests were many: lake and stream fishing, big game and fowl hunting (a hunting mentor of both sons and daughter), energized by travel including great U.S. road trips, private pilot & 172 Cessna aircraft owner, loved car and air shows, 3 time participant in the Great American Race, a coast to coast antique car rally. Plus, he was a meticulous ‘body & fender man’ and restored many old cars including his 1951 Ford Woody which was sold recently.
Of special sentiment was Del’s 1913 Ford Model T which he was determined to restore it accurately and took a number of years to complete. His son Kurt recalls helping his dad work on the ‘T’ when he was young. Del was happy to have that car stay in the family.

Del was a Nascar fan, tinkering in the garage, our family handyman & construction worker and he coached son Kurt’s baseball team to Catholic Boys Baseball League Championships. The was thrilled to see ‘his’ L.A. Dodgers win the 2020 World Series! Let’s not forget that Del enjoyed being a social club dancer (polkas, swing & line dancing were his favorites) even if he had to wear a tie. Among the foods he loved were chocolate candy and pastries, especially apple pie. But he especially appreciated his favorite beer, a tall COLD bottle of Miller Genuine Draft (MGD) which he would have a bottle or two, maybe once a month. He only drank it if he had done some physical hard work, or if I made him a Mexican dinner or was just in the mood. The family would tease him, saying “Ooooh, Dad’s having his monthly beer.”

Dancing: Prior to the pandemic, we were active board members of 2 social dance clubs in Orange County & Long Beach and made a lot of dear friends over the years. Those friendships developed into close friends, the kind you can depend on. Del swore that when he retired from the CHP, he would NEVER wear another tie. Well, he ended up with a drawer full of about 50 beautiful ties for the dances.

Del was ‘easy on the eyes’ Even in his later years, tall with good posture, fit, a head full of white-silver hair and a big smile, Del ‘cleaned up’ quite nicely as he always had. Some people may remember his ‘cholo’ dance or even his white polka dancing shorts. He was always a good sport. We were still swing dancing in our kitchen during this ‘Safer at Home’ 2020-2021 Covid 19 pandemic mode.

LAST Birthday Party: He loved his September 2020, 95th birthday car parade of 102 cars and motorcycles who passed our home honking, cheering and revving their engines. Among those were car clubs and Long Beach Hilltoppers MC members, that he was a member of in the 1950s. He loved seeing them wearing their club’s colors. Bringing a flood of memories upon seeing them, he would share those memories over coffee for the next couple of weeks.

Also, because he was a LONG time retired ‘old school’ CHP officer 1951-1979, the CHP honored him, leading the parade with their 5 motor units and several car units, all who volunteered on their day off to drive by and wish him ‘Happy Birthday!’ They even gifted him a CHP motorcycle helmet saying that since the CHP didn’t have helmets back in the day when he rode, here’s a new one. Del was so touched by that gesture, I could see tears in his eyes. He was always proud to be a member of the CHP and treasured the friendships he developed over the years, including those who in recent years extended their friendship ‘to the old guy.’ If you want to see it the parade and video, look for Del Kuhn 95th Birthday Car Parade on our website. www.TheGrandfathersofMotocross.com

We had given him some great memorable birthday parties in the past. He was always humbled knowing that we usually had a 100% RSVP in attendance and this car parade was no different. No one wanted to miss Del’s parties. Every 5 years, he was the honored ‘birthday boy’ and some may remember his 80th Birthday ‘Casino’ Party, 85th ‘Be Del for a Day’ Party or his 90th ‘Sunday Fun-day’ games party. His 95th ‘King of the Dinosaurs’ car parade, last September. I think it was his most memorable.

Then Five months later: Sadly, Del had fallen at home in February 2021. We and his doctors hoped he was getting better. His family visited him while at the rehabilitation care center for the 5 days he was there. Through the glass window, ‘Grandpa’ smiled big when he saw his grandsons. He winked at them. Later back at the hospital, he kissed me twice and sometimes would respond in his own way. He mouthed the words to his U.S. Navy theme song, Anchors Aweigh, as it played in the background. Ultimately, we learned that the fall resulted in small brain bleed that was inoperable and started to give him small seizures. The pressure would eventually be his demise, so we brought him home under hospice care. Four days prior to his passing, he had his best day since his fall. Del was coherent, actively engaged, lovingly teasing me and quite lively. Our grown children, their spouses, our grandsons and I were there to experience this treasured moment.

His beautiful passing: He passed away at home, in his own bed, with no lingering illness or disease. He was surrounded by his favorite WWll music, our grown children, their spouses, our grandchildren, his best friend, the family pug and a kind hospice worker who led us thru the various stages of his painless and calm passing which brought us much comfort. All those he loved had their personal goodbye time with him. Words had not been left unsaid. We never held back our love, affection, adoration and respect. No one could ask for a better passing.

To sum this up: Del lived a full life, didn’t squander it, took care of his body, believed in God and was a good man. He tried to keep life in perspective, balancing work and play. He didn’t worry about much, often saying it was wasted energy. He didn’t run around parading the ‘red, white and blue’ yet he was proud to be an American. He knew he was loved, did everything he wanted to do and valued his friendships and enjoyed our very active social life.

Our love: He was a wonderful husband and I will always adore him. People saw him and thought, “There’s an old man.” However, when I saw him, the younger Del that I met decades ago was reflecting in my eyes and all I saw was the most handsome man that made my heart strings ZING. I saw him like that even as I dazed over him and gently kissed him repeatedly, even after he passed. My heart is broken for the loss of my Del. I have lost my life’s partner, my dancing partner, my love and the one who put up with my endless yakking. I was honored to have been his wife for almost 44 years. He certainly lived a full life and was most grateful.

So, I share my story and my loss with you and hope that you remember him with kindness and fondness.

A long time Rossmoor resident, Del leaves his wife Vicky and his grandsons Clark and Logan.

In addition, Del leaves behind many friends and close family members who held a high regard for him. He knew he was blessed many times over. He will be greatly missed. Some of us thought he would never die as he was that special.

Thank you for taking the time to read this ‘letter obituary’ but I wanted to do his long full life justice. I was his #1 fan, cheerleader and promoter as I am still proud to have been his wife.
Deeply honored,
Vicky Kuhn
vicky.delkuhn@gmail.com