Valdez Vanguard

11/6/02

Obituary 

Delbert M. Welch

Former longtime Valdez resident Delbert M. Welch, 68, passed away on Oct. 29, 2002, in Lewiston, Idaho.

Services were held last Saturday in Whitebird, Idaho, with graveside services following at Whitebird Cemetery.

The son of Delbert A. and Mary Welch, he was born in Aurora, Ore., on Dec. 5, 1933. Del grew up on a farm near Sweet Home, Ore., where his family owned and operated a logging company. He was an auto racing enthusiast, and collecting automobiles was his favorite hobby.

            As a young man, Del owned his own logging company, was a noted high climber, and logged some of the largest redwoods ever harvested in Northern California. Del was a member of the Operating Engineers Union and considered an extraordinary heavy equipment operator. He was also a superintendent working on dams, bridges, major, highway and airport improvement projects.

            Del owned a construction company and resided in Lewiston before his call north to Alaska. Del loved the Salmon River area and chose to retire at the River Ranch in Whitebird in 2001.

            A longtime resident of Valdez, he was best known as a construction contractor and “collector” of heavy equipment. Since the mid-1970s, Del was an opportunist in a booming Alaskan economy. His business ventures included road building, asphalt paving, logging, school bus contracting, house moving, commercial building relocation, marine transport and remote site construction. His logging operation at Cordova and Two Moon Bay were the farthest north timber harvesting sites in recent times. He also owned the first oilfield discovered in Alaska, located at Katalla, with plans for development pending.

            His family said: “He was very much admired and will be missed by all who knew him.”

            He was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Evan Michael Hiibschman of Springfield, Ore.

            Del Welch is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; sister, Bonnie Dials; and children, Debbie Warner, of Valdez, Craig Welch of Anchorage, DeAnne Warner of Salem, Ore., Tanna Welch of Everett, Wash., Jill Jenkins of Boise, Idaho, Aaron Welch of Great Falls, Mont., and Candy Ross of Tacoma, Wash.; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

            Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 No. Mill St., Grangeville, ID 83530.