Obituary: Delbert Kenneth Pike, 84

DANVERS, MA - On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, Delbert Kenneth Pike passed away peacefully of natural causes. He was 84 years old.

Del was born in Milo, ME on June 28, 1931. He was the first child of Thelma and Kenneth Pike. He was a 1949 graduate of Scarborough High School in Maine and married his high school sweetheart Angie Marshall in April 1951. They shared 63 years of marriage. Del worked his entire career as an Electrical Engineer for Draper Labs in Cambridge for 30+ years before retiring in 1993. He was proud of his work in Gyro Nuclear Radiation testing and Gyro Guidance Electronics. In 1969 he was recognized for his contribution to the APOLLO Primary Guidance, Navigation and Control System for the first man landing on the moon.

Del loved being with his family. He could be seen at almost every football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, softball, track, volleyball and cheerleading event for all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a standout athlete himself, playing in the Danvers Twilight Baseball League for many years. He also had an unmatched curiosity for how things worked and was well known for his ability to design or fix most anything to do with mechanics, electronics and construction.

Del was preceded in death by his wife Angie and his sister Priscilla Estes. Del is survived by his sons: Delbert Pike Jr. of Old Orchard Beach, ME; Thomas Pike and wife Teresa of Saco, ME; Stephen Pike of Middleton; and Dr. Scott Pike and wife Martha of Danvers; his grandchildren: Kristen Pike O’Neill of Danvers; Todd Pike of Old Orchard Beach, ME; Ryan Pike of So. Portland, ME; DPT Erin Pike of Saco, ME; and Connor, Megan and Logan Pike of Danvers; his great-grandchildren: Anna, Brynn, Jack and Tyler O’Neill of Danvers; his siblings: Wayne Pike and wife Theresa of Greeneville, TN; Arlo Pike and wife Judy of Scarborough, ME; and Linda Ceaser and husband Philip of Scarborough, ME.

Del’s family is eternally grateful to Kris Berry-Hurton who watched over him for the past 3 years.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visitation on Saturday Jan 30, from 9:30am-11am in the Mackey Funeral Home, 128 S. Main St., Rt 114, Middleton, MA. A service will follow at 11am. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial contribution to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St. B102, Danvers, MA 01923. to leave a condolence see www.mackeyfuneralhome.com.