Van Meter, Delmar Blaine
Age 77 of Ames passed away January 5, 2010. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A gathering of friends and family visitation will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 pm Saturday, January 9 at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way in Ames. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 10, at First Baptist Church, 200 Lynn Ave. Ames. Burial has taken place at the Iowa State University Cemetery in Ames.

Dad was born January 16, 1932 in Cosby, Missouri near Kansas City. He was the son of William and Dora (Miller) Van Meter. He grew up on a small farm and learned to work hard, a skill he practiced throughout his life.

Dad was an outstanding student and athlete in high school and earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Missouri, Columbia. There he earned BS degrees in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering and then later earned a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University.

After college, Dad was on active duty in the Army from 1954-1956. He met Jo Mabrey while stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were married on August 27, 1956. He reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve before retiring in 1993.

Dad was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University from 1958 until he retired in 2000 and helped thousands of engineering students master difficult subjects including heat transfer, thermodynamics, and theory of internal combustion engines. Dad was a dedicated teacher and spent many hours talking with students, correcting papers, and preparing for lectures. He was sought after as a consultant by many clients and helped them with his expertise in thermodynamics and internal combustion engines.

Dad was an active volunteer throughout his life. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ames and served that organization as a member of the board of trustees and as a key member of facility and building project teams. He was a School Board Member for the Gilbert Community Schools and an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America.

Dad is survived by Jo Van Meter and children, Kevin (Pam) Van Meter of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kelly (Lauren) Van Meter of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Kyle (Nancy) Van Meter of Coralville, Iowa, and Kimberly (Meisha) Van Meter of Iowa City, Iowa, 11 grandchildren including Scott, Steven, Amy, Madeleine, Jacqueline, Ryan, Brooke, Theo, Sophie, Jonas, Sheridan and, brothers, Melvin (Mary) and Warren (Lorene) Van Meter of St. Joseph, Missouri and many nieces and nephews.

On line condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

Memorials can be sent to The First Baptist Church Boiler Fund, 200 Lynn Avenue in Ames.

Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.