Delton (Del) Almond
Sept. 12, 1945 – Jan. 31, 2023
Delton Almond was born Sept. 12, 1945 and died Jan. 31, 2023 at home in Alliance, Nebraska with his family at his side.
Del started his railroad career with the Northern Pacific Railroad in Pasco, Washington at the age of 20. Superintendent Ed Hanousek Sr. of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway came to the Tri-Cities of Washington looking for experienced train and engine men to handle the new boom for the White Pass Railway. New mines had been opened in the Yukon and ore was being shipped to the Port of Skagway.
Del accepted a position on the narrow gauge railroad as a fireman, then engineer. He met his wife, Kay, at The Golden North Hotel. His three daughters, Kelly, Jennifer and Elizabeth were all natives of Skagway, two of the girls being born in the Dahl Memorial Clinic with the midwives in attendance.
Del was very active in the union and instrumental in the strike during the summer of 1970, which resulted in better working conditions for the rail crews. He was also a starter on the men’s Skagway basketball team that won the Gold Medal Tournament in 1973.
Del loved all sports. He pitched on the town’s fast pitch softball team which provided hours of entertainment for those that played and for those who came to watch. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with the great friends he made there.
Even though his time in Skagway wasn’t long, the friends he made and the experiences he had lasted a lifetime. Skagway always and forever held a special place in his heart.
