Delvin D. Eberlein

Delvin Dale Eberlein, 84, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025. A beloved husband, father and grandfather, he lived a life devoted to his family, scientific research, and travel.

Born on August 28, 1940, on the family farm in Brookings County, South Dakota, Delvin was the youngest of eight children born to Frank and Gladys (Messerschmidt) Eberlein. After graduating from Volga High School in 1958, he attended South Dakota State University, earning his BS in Electrical Engineering in March of 1962. Also, in that year on June 27, Delvin married Athene Uhlir in Kadoka, South Dakota. 

He began his career as an engineer at Bendix Corporation in South Bend, Indiana, where he worked on missile design for the US Navy. The family then moved to Edina, Minnesota, in 1964, where Delvin continued his engineering career with Univac. He later took a hiatus to serve as a senior research scientist at the University of Minnesota for three years, during which time he worked on the design of the Explorer 46 satellite to study the Van Allen radiation belt. He completed his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1970.

In 1976, the family relocated to Altoona, Wisconsin, where Delvin took a position at Cray Research. He worked there until his retirement in 1996, as Vice President of Technology, overseeing all aspects of integrated circuit fabrication and creating the essential circuit that became the cornerstone for the Cray XMP. His career resulted in nine patents and the opportunity to collaborate with engineers throughout Europe and Japan. His work brought him across the globe where he explored Dutch windmills, sang karaoke in Japan and skirted polar bears during an Arctic satellite launch.

Throughout his countless adventures, Delvin labored tirelessly to provide for his family for his entire life. He was a firm believer in education and science, and he encouraged all his family members to pursue higher education and supported the individual goals each of his children pursued. He was a strong supporter of the engineering programs at South Dakota State and was recognized as a Distinguished Engineer by the school in 1995.

Although he traveled the world, South Dakota held a special place in his heart as he often reminisced about treasured memories of the farm, vacationing, walleye fishing and visiting relatives. He was also an avid hunter to the extent that, as a young man, he traded in his Indian motorcycle for a rifle so that he could go antelope hunting. He cherished time with his family, even learning to downhill ski in his fifties just to spend time with his two boys. He particularly enjoyed his grandchildren with whom he readily shared his knowledge, family history, and coin collecting hobby, and he attended numerous of their hockey, soccer and dance events. He loved cruising to work in his convertibles—a 1962 red Corvette and a 1979 MG Midget, even during the cold, Midwest winters. Always the do-it-yourselfer, he tackled any project that needed attention with precision and care. Delvin was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and later Trinity Lutheran Church and also served a term as mayor of the city of Altoona from 1982-1984.

Delvin was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Alvin, Calvin, and Melvin and by his sisters, Fern Otteson, Lorraine Berkland, Lavada Schlotman, and Joyce Eberlein.

Delvin is survived by his beloved wife, Athene and their three children: Peggy (David) Kincaid and children Amanda (Sam) Cloud, Ryan Falch, and Ben Kincaid; son Greg (Phoenix) Eberlein and children Samantha and Amelia; and son Christopher (Kelly) Eberlein and children Sally, Sophie, and Eston. He is also survived by one sister-in- law, Rudella Eberlein, and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.

Private family services will take place at a later date with committal services at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The Eberlein family is grateful for memorial contributions in Delvin’s honor to the Excellence Fund in Electrical Engineering at the South Dakota State University Foundation.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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