Delbert Robert Hanks (Birth 23 Jan 1915/Death 11 May 1994)

Delbert R. Hanks
MALAD – Delbert Robert Hanks, 79, of Malad, died Wednesday, May 11, 1994, in Provo, Utah.

He was born Jan. 23, 1915, in Magna, Utah, a son of Perry Adelbert and Iva Gladys Gallaher Hanks. He was educated in Magna, Jerome, Idaho, and received a teaching certificate from Albion Normal School.

He married Katie Jones Nov. 24, 1937, in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. She died Feb. 11, 1991.

For several years he taught in the Twin Falls area, and later in Montpelier. He was hired by the Boy Scouts of America to travel to Alaska and organize the scouting program there. Thus started a long and illustrious career with the BSA.

He had been a scout executive, a regional executive, and later served on the World Bureau as director of finance for the western hemisphere. While serving in that position he and his family had lived for 10 years in Central America, South America and Puerto Rico.

He had also worked in Nampa, Portland, Oregon, and Dayton, Ohio. Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud when he became the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. After his retirement in 1975, he and his wife moved to Malad, where he had since resided. In 1990 he was inducted into the BSA Hall of Fame after 62 years as a registered scouter.

He was an active member of the LDS Church, where he was a high priest. He and his wife had served a mission to New York. He also had been active in the Kiwanis Club, where he was a past president and national board member.

He is survived by two sons, two daughters and spouses, Delbert Robert II and Judy Hanks of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Milton Robert and Kathy Hanks of Pleasant Grove, Karen and Bert Marble of Malad, and Nancy and George Bayles of Provo, Utah; 23 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katie, one son, two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 16, at noon in the Malad LDS First Ward Chapel, with Bishop Jared Crowther officiating. Friends may call at the Benson-Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N., Malad, on Sunday, May 15, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Monday at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Malad City Cemetery.