Dr. Delwyn (Del) D. Bluhm

July 8, 1936 - July 21, 2023

Dr. Delwyn D. Bluhm (87) passed away on July 21, 2023, at Israel Family Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. A visitation, memorial and lunch will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday August 18, 2023, at First United Methodist Church (516 Kellogg Ave, Ames, Iowa 50010). The memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with lunch to follow.

The livestream for the memorial service can be found at youtube.com/live/ka0KpkeT5PE

Del was born on July 8, 1936, in Charles City, Iowa to Kenneth Bluhm and Evelyn (Lynch) Bluhm. He was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational Church and attended Charles City Public Schools from Kindergarten through high school, graduating in the class of 1954. He was active in Boy Scouts of America, earning his Eagle Scout Award, and was a newspaper carrier for the Des Moines Register. In high school Del played football and wrestled for the Charles City Comets, was a member of the Iowa All-State Chorus, and worked for the family business, Bluhm Electric Company.

After high school graduation he enrolled in electrical engineering (EE) at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University). Besides classes, he was in ROTC and the Iowa State College Chorus, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in EE and as a member of Eta Kappa Nu National EE Honorary Society and Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honorary Society.

After graduation from Iowa State, he worked as a design engineer in power systems for Stanley Engineering Company in Muscatine, Iowa for six months before going to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey to fulfill his ROTC/Army commitment as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps. A few months later he was selected by his commanding officer to go to the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama at Redstone Arsenal where he taught classes at the Ordnance Guided Missile School.

Del married his high school sweetheart, Georgia Summers, on August 16, 1959, a week after she graduated from the University of Iowa College of Nursing. They were married at Trinity Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then drove south to Huntsville, Alabama to set up their first home on base. A daughter, Jennifer, was born the following August at the Army Post hospital.

In January of 1961 after achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he and Georgia chose to move back to Iowa with their small family. Del took a job as a research engineer for the U.S. Department of Energy at Iowa State University in Ames. Full time employment, attending graduate school for his Master of Science in electrical engineering, being a new father and husband, and building a new home for his family kept him busy. He also continued fulfilling his duties as a reserve officer in the U.S. Army.

Del and Georgia became members of First United Methodist Church in 1962 and through the years were extremely active on boards and committees; as trustees, ushers, and greeters; in Adult Couples' Bible Study; and as teachers and assistants for Youth Sunday School and Vacation Bible School up to 2 weeks prior to his passing.

In 1966 a son, David, was born. The family of four then began their many camping trips to all the national parks and the state capitals.

Del continued his post-graduate education, in 1972 earning his PhD in electrical engineering. In 1996, he was initiated as a member of Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honorary Society.

Del was a Professional Engineer (PE) for 41 years in engineering design; research and development (R&D); and engineering management. He retired after 39 years with Ames Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy operated by Iowa State University. He was Manager of R&D Engineering Services Group, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Program Manager at Ames Lab, and was a principal investigator on numerous projects. He presented research papers and results at U.S. and international conferences, colleges, and universities throughout his career. In 2007, Dr. Bluhm was recognized as a Distinguished Technical Committee Member for the National Fire Protection Association and author for the development of the NFPA Classifications as well as the Codes and Standards Handbook.

Many interesting projects were presented for design and fabrication. One of the most interesting was the rebuilding of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, known as the ABC Project, the world's first supercomputer. This project was initiated, championed, and directed by Dr. Bluhm.

In addition to his dedication to being an active and engaged husband, father, grampa, great grampa, brother, uncle, friend, and church member, he was also deeply committed to his career, colleagues, mentoring, volunteering, community service, and continued education. Del's other community commitments included The Cyclone Club, The ISU Alumni Association, and as a charter member of the Ames Tones Barbershop Quartet.

He and Georgia's membership in the Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club kept them busy as Del worked his way through various leadership roles, becoming the National President. Travels with and without the RV included the forty-eight continental United States, Mexico, Canada, and many international destinations.

Del also served in various leadership roles for the Ames Noon Rotary Club. In his 42 years as a member of Rotary International, he served as Treasurer and President of the local club, followed by one year as District Governor for the sixty-five clubs in the southern half of Iowa.

He and Georgia were volunteers and/or active members of Reiman Gardens, ACPC, Raising Readers, Fellows Elementary Reading Buddies, Mary Greeley Medical Center, United Way, Special Olympics, Grab & Go Summer Food for school children, and more. They were also intently involved in working to prevent and stop human trafficking both in the United States and abroad.

Left to cherish and honor Del's memory are his wife of 64 years, Georgia; daughter Jennifer (Randy) Rinderknecht; son David (Angela Yoder) Bluhm; 5 grandchildren - Alyssa (Nathan) Mauch, Briana (Christopher) Riddell, Nolan Rinderknecht, Casey Mordini-Bluhm, and Ezri Bluhm; 5 great-grandchildren - Olivia, Carter, and Logan Mauch; Emersyn and Marlee Riddell; sister, Kathleen (Rees) Hakanson; nieces Leah (John) Conyers, Amy (Mark) Atchley, and nephew Bo (Brenda) Hakanson as well as each of their children and grandchildren; cousin, Bob (Ruth Ann) Summers; and last but not least the many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances across the world.

Del was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Evelyn Bluhm; his infant brother Douglas; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Viola Summers of Ames

Memorial donations may be offered in Del's name to First United Methodist Church or another charity of your choice.