Born: Denver, Colorado, July 12,1938
Passed Away: April 11, 2020
In 1940, Delbert (Del) moved with his parents to Colorado Springs where he grew up. Immediately upon graduation from Colorado Springs High School in 1956, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a corpsman in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital until 1959, and then continued serving on inactive duty until 1962.
He received his BA degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in June of 1963, with a major in History and minors in Biology and Spanish. He returned to Concordia for an extra year to receive his teaching credentials and finish a major in Spanish.
Del earned his MAT (Master of Arts for Teachers) degree from Indiana University in 1969 through a government fellowship program which included summer school in Spain at the University of Salamanca.
Throughout his career as a Spanish teacher he continued his educational pursuits as a graduate student at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He studied Spanish at the Instituto De Estudios Iberoamericanos in Saltillo, Mexico, took courses at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and the University of Idaho in Boise. He also earned many educational credits through various summer workshops.
Besides all the educational pursuits pertaining to his career as a Spanish teacher, Del was constantly involved in the study of the Bible. He was trained to be a Bethel Bible Study teacher; received a degree from the Nazarene Bible College in Biblical studies, music theory and choir directing; enjoyed an intensive study of both the Old and New Testaments at Village Schools of the Bible; and he participated in CBS (Community Bible Study) for about 15 years.
Del’s career as a Spanish teacher began at the Jr High in Castle Rock, Colorado. He taught Spanish in 3 different high schools in Colorado Springs from 1964 until he retired in 1993. He taught evening and summer classes at National American University for 19 years (Spanish, History, Biology, World Religions, and Art Appreciation). He taught courses at El Paso Community College, Pikes Peak community college and The University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Following his retirement from public school teaching He taught Spanish for a year at Saint Mary’s Catholic High School and also St. Stephen’s Episcopal Day school in Colorado Springs. He was the Director of an after school Spanish program for elementary students in the Colorado Springs school district called IES (Institute of Education Sciences).
After moving to Buffalo, MN in 2001, he taught Spanish at Saint Francis Xavier and Discovery Elementary schools. Del also was a teacher in the Adult Public Education program, both in Colorado Springs and Buffalo, using his own published Spanish textbook. He even taught pre-school children at Kid’s Haven Pre-school.
Del taught The Bethel Bible study, and other adult Bible classes, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs and at Spirit of Joy Lutheran in Buffalo, MN. He lived the last 2 ½ years of his life at CentraCare Nursing Facility in Monticello, MN. Even there he never stopped being a teacher. He tried to teach his many care takers some basic Spanish, and started a Bible study class which he taught, for the other residents.
He directed the adult choirs at three different churches in Colorado Springs: Our Savior’s Lutheran, Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Del was an avid book reader, often reading a stack of 5 or 6 books at a time. He sang in The Taylor Memorial Choir, the Colorado Springs Chorale, and Opera Theater of the Rockies. He played piano for his own enjoyment and loved playing “Trivial Pursuit” (if he could find someone willing to challenge him). He co-authored the book “Talk Tour Taste” and was in the process of writing another Spanish textbook. He was interested in intellectual pursuits in all subject areas and read books that he didn’t even understand feeling he would learn from them. Del was an Oblate of the Benet Hill Benedictine Community in Colorado Springs. He was very interested in getting the Bible into the hands of everyone in the world, through his participation in the Gideon’s ministry, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and Lutheran Bible Translators.
Del loved his family above everything else and will be greatly missed. Del passed away quietly about noon on Saturday, April 11, with his wife Kathy by his side after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
He was preceded in death by his mother Doris (Carter) Bye, his father Harold Bye, many aunts and uncles and several cousins.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen (Torgerson) Bye, his daughter and son-in-law Victoria (Bye) Rein and Mark Rein, and his grandchildren Amanda and Nicholas Fahrendorff.
Information on a Celebration of Life service for Del is pending.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, 3477 10th Street NE, Buffalo, MN 55313, or Gideons International, Wycliffe Bible Translators or Lutheran Bible Translators.
It was “His Smile” 😁
Del taught Spanish to my grades 3-4-5 elementary students for several years. We loved learning from him, always looking forward to his classes. As a teacher, his instruction was filled with the joy he brought to life. I cannot help but think of Del without the tunes he taught the kids also running through my head. He graced my classroom and my life with his friendship. He was a gift.
Kathy-
I’m so sorry to hear of Del’s passing. His smile will be greatly missed. Sending you hugs and prayers.
Shelly McHenry (curves and CBS)
Kathy,
I’m so sorry to hear of Del’s passing. His smile will be greatly missed. Sending prayers and hugs.
Shelly McHenry (CBS and curves)
We have missed Del and Kathy since they moved to Buffalo. Del was a great speaker of Spanish, singer of songs, director of choirs and player of games. May you rest in peace our dear friend.
I’ll never forget those long talks with Del about the Bible and his knowledge of history and the patience he had trying to teach me Spanish (one of his toughest students) all while taking care of him for the last 2 in a half years. His love for everyone was so deep. I’ll miss you dearly Del and I’m so happy you are finally home with Jesus.
Hi Kathy: About 10 years ago, I came to your home because Del was trying to teach me Spanish. What a wonderful man your husband was. I don’t know why but I had been thinking about him lately. I am sorry for your loss. God’s blessing to you and your family!!
I remember playing Trivial Pursuit with him and I’m pretty sure he knew every answer there was!! Very intelligent and a very nice man!! He will be missed!!
Kathy,
I’m so sorry to hear of Del’s passing, he was a wonderful person. I enjoyed working with both of you guys at the bank. Sending prayers and hugs
Denise Saunders
Dear Kathy, Vicky, and Family, I am so saddened to learn of Delbert’s death. I remember so many good times singing with Delbert at Our Savior’s Lutheran and in the Chorale and teaching with him at Wasson. He was a remarkable and well loved man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. God Bless all of you.
Del and I were tour guides together at the USAF Academy Chapel in the mid-60s and his mother was my father’s secretary. I enjoyed the friendship of Del and his wonderful sense of humor.
Kathy and Vickie,
I am so sorry to hear of Delbert’s passing. I have so many fond memories of him and you- as a fellow teacher in District 11, as a co-author of Talk Tour Taste and as a friend with a great sense of humor. I remember the times spent at your house writing the book and times with Vickie babysitting. So sorry for your loss.
Kendra Henry (Ettenhofer)
When teaching at Wasson, as his colleague and fellow Concordia College graduate, we talked of college choir music and silly memories of Minnesota. He had a lovely voice…
Kathy and family, Senor Bye was my favorite teacher at Wasson H.S. when I was a senior. I alway enjoyed his sense of humor, that smile he always had on his face, and how he taught spanish. All though I graduated in 1976, to this day, I think about him whenever I have to say, “no hablo espanol, habla english, por favor. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Vaya con dios Senor Bye ….
Bernie Garduno
Señor Bye was my Spanish teacher for two years at Wasson, from 1966 through 1968. Undoubtedly, he was my favorite teacher from my high school years. Now, over fifty years later and reading this page, I better understand who he was and why he was such a great teacher…because he was an awesome person deep down. His teaching enabled me to pursue my first career path…in a foreign language…no, not Spanish, but Russian. But it was the principles he taught that stuck with me and allowed me to succeed with a language career. God Bless you, Señor Bye, you were never forgotten, not even for a minute, after all these years.
Senor Bye was my Spanish teacher at Wesson High in 1992. He was such a sweet man. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends.
May you RIP Senor Bye
Kathy and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know he fought a good battle with his parkinson’s disease. He was such a nice man and you were such a sweet couple. I missed you both at the clinic when you quit coming in on a weekly basis. I had no idea that he had such an extensive education. He was a humble man. You have my sincere condolences. Rest in peace Del.