Delbert Eugene Maxfield

Delbert “Del” Eugene Maxfield died unexpectedly in his home on February 17, 2026. Born in Littleton, CO on March 8, 1958, Del moved to Windsor in elementary school. In high school, Del played football and trumpet in the band, graduating in 1976. After high school, Del worked for Kodak for nearly 30 years. He went on to volunteer for and later serve as a director on the board for the Windsor/Severance Fire Protection District, Weld County Paramedic Services, and most recently, Broadcom. Del loved a spreadsheet and was meticulous and ethically scrupulous in his work. Though Del could have a fierce temper, he could also keep a calm, clear head in an emergency, and would always show up when needed.

Despite apparently never picking up a book in school, Del lived and breathed life-long learning. If his interest was captured, he would devote himself to learning every minute detail, be it photography, medicine, aviation, astronomy, history, religion…the list goes on, and he had the personal library to prove it. Del went back to school and through specialized training multiple times and was very proud of his achievements, applying his skills to whatever work he was doing. Having seen the moon landing in 1969, Del was enamored of astronomy and aviation, often flying with his good friend Dan St. John over the Front Range and Pawnee Grasslands. Dan recalled that one time, “[He] was up front and Del was the GIB (Guy in Back). I asked him over the intercom if he wanted to take the stick and took my hands of the stick. The plane started banking to the left, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees. When the bank angle got to 60 degrees, I yelled in the intercom ‘I got controls’ then ‘What in the hell were you doing?!’ Del said ‘I thought the same thing! I thought you were trying to kill me!’ I told him ‘You had the controls’ to which he replied, ‘No I didn’t, I never heard you say anything!’”. Del was no doubt deep in his own thoughts, a place he often seemed to go.

In 1983, Del’s daughter Alexis was born, and he loved her more than anything from the start. Del strove to provide his daughter with everything her heart desired. They went to ball games, mini golfing, Disneyland, and Mount Rushmore. He came to all games, band shows, and events he could, took her to museums, and helped her travel in high school. The only visitation that she knows he missed was when he was hospitalized for kidney stones (something they shared). He bought her enough books to fill her own library, indulged in art supplies, and attended special lectures and concerts at the university and performing arts venues with her around the world. Although initially hesitant when Alexis decided to start living abroad in college, he quickly realized she wasn’t going to be stopped and started visiting her instead. They also shared a love of American history, visiting the DMZ, Hiroshima, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, and Ford’s Theater. He even came to Hawaii to volunteer for a public day at The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum when she worked there, standing in the hot, humid sunshine (which he despised) to ferry visitors into an old jet-Alexis can’t remember which one, but Del would have been able to detail the original schematics and pilot training manuals. When Alexis married Amin, originally from Iran, Del devoted himself to learning about the history and culture of his son-in-law, and sharing his knowledge and thoughts with others. He was immensely proud of her and all that she accomplished.

Del also embodied an important American value: civic participation. Del dragged his young daughter on door-knocking campaigns for local officials, attended legislative sessions, petitioned the government with special interest groups, gave public testimony for bills, and donated to veterans’ organizations.

Del often told Alexis that he had dreamt of becoming a Muppeteer. It showed, because if Del came near a stuffed animal, a fried shrimp, or ANYTHING that could be given a voice, one had to prepare to never, ever forget the personality and backstory that Del would create for it, especially if it would make people laugh. Del loved animals and children and could usually be found on the floor playing with them.

Del’s friendships were dear to his heart, and the whole family was encompassed in a given friendship. Del was especially close with Rob and Shauna Fagler’s family, and “Uncle Del” would attend their daughters’ school events and join for holidays and special occasions, his presence making each one brighter. Del and “my buddy Rob” would meet up for cherished late-night trips to movies and Red Robin. Del was a steady source of fatherly advice and thoughtful conversations, making even the most complicated things feel clear and understandable. He wasn’t just a friend — he was truly part of their family. Rob especially loved hearing about his travel adventures around the world, particularly his visits to see Alexis wherever life had taken her.

In his later years, encouraged by his daughter and friends, he devoted himself to traveling both at home and abroad. In addition to meeting his daughter and Amin in South Korea, they road-tripped along the southeast coast of Australia, freaking out about poisonous arachnids in the rental, touring by helicopter, seeing museums, petting koalas, and standing on glass floors in a very, very tall building. Del could and would talk to anyone, helping him make friends on his travels. Del also visited Europe several times and was planning a trip to Peru at the time of his death.

Del is survived by his daughter, Alexis, her husband, Amin Kalantarifard, and their son Iver; his sister Barbara Mathis and her husband Jeff; his brother Matthew Hergert; his uncle and aunt Larry and Cathy Hergert; and many friends.

Del did not want a service or memorial, but please consider donating to a GoFundMe fundraiser linked below. Alexis will divide any proceeds between the Honor Flight Network and Commemorative Air Force, charities that Del supported.

https://gofund.me/25e792187

We love you, Del, and will forever treasure the time we were blessed to share with you.