- Date Of Birth: July 22, 1959
- Date Of Death: September 5, 2021
- State: Iowa
Dirk Arthur Dellinger passed away the week of September 5th, 2021, at the age of 62 in his home in West Des Moines, Iowa. Dirk’s death appeared to be a result of unresolved medical complications following a total knee replacement surgery at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center.
Dirk Arthur Dellinger was born in Des Moines, Iowa on July 22, 1959 to Neal Arthur Dellinger and Bernice Fae (Newbrough) Dellinger. Dirk grew up in a small suburban neighborhood in the northwest corner of Des Moines, attending Hillis Elementary School, Franklin Junior High School, and Hoover High School. Many of the children in the neighborhood became his life-long friends. Dirk developed a love of sports by first playing baseball in Urbandale Little League and subsequently playing baseball, football, and hockey at Hoover High School. Dirk graduated from High School in 1977 then attended Iowa State University where he played club hockey for two years, then Area 11 Community College, and Drake University. Through his life he was presented with an enormous number of challenges, which he was eventually able to conquer. His father, Neal, passed away when Dirk was 12 years old, and his desire to play athletics was hampered by an undiagnosed serious and rare congenital heart defect. At the age of 40, Dirk underwent an eight-hour open heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic to repair his heart and that led him to his joy of biking and outdoor activities. Dirk struggled with alcoholism for much of his adult life but was able to free himself from that addiction and went on to establish himself as a successful sales representative for Delta Industries compressed air systems of Downers Grove, Illinois.
A bike lover, a fisherman, Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Colorado Rockies fan, he loved to engage in long, real news driven discussions about the state of US and world politics and became active on social media. Although Dirk struggled on a long, tumultuous road with alcoholism, he found peace, support, and comfort in reconnecting with his faith and with the loving community of Saint Mark Lutheran Church. He cherished the company of his friends as much as of his furry friends. Nothing could melt his heart more than the dark eyes of a springer spaniel, and Dirk had once more, succumbed to the charm of a 4- legged brunette named Bella-Bear. Due to Dirk’s incredibly empathetic heart, he was known as an altruistic person who was always willing to lend a hand with unwavering support. His warm smile and infectious laugh allowed him to make a conversation with anyone and he will continuously be reminisced as someone who cared about every individual he met.
He is lovingly remembered by brother Douglas, sister-in-law Geraldine, nephew Matthieu, nieces Sophie, Madeleine, many close friends, and his dog Bella. Dirk, may your very kind soul drift free.
