Here is the eulogy for Des Delatorre on behalf of forum members, which was featured in his funeral service today.
Des Delatorre had a significant world-wide reputation in the specialist hobby of World War One model aircraft.
Through his own website first, highlighting his astonishing model building talents, and then his World War One Aircraft Models forum, he founded an international community of modellers that today has become the single biggest World War 1 model forum on the Internet.
He set up his Forum in 2012 and over the years it became his hobby passion as he grew it to more than 3030 members now, scattered all over the planet, all of whom are grieving his passing.
Des had a profound influence in WWI aviation modelling and it’s only now, with his passing, that people truly realise and appreciate the enormity of that influence,
Des started making models as a small boy in the 1950s and it remained a great hobby passion throughout his life. He produced world museum class models from plastic kits but more than that, he scratchbuilt unique models, every part designed and hand made by him.
He wrote detailed build logs of each project on his website, to show others how to do it and guide fellow modellers through the build process. His willingness to share and encourage all fellow modellers- be they newcomers or experts- was a hallmark of his standing in the hobby.
Everyone was equal in his eyes and this was a key to the success of his forum and his popularity among forum members.
There has been an outpouring of grief and condolences from his forum family in the past few days, all expressing deep gratitude for his kindness and generosity in encouraging other modellers.
Messages from Forum members speak of “an amazing modeller and nice guy”; Willing to share what ever he could to help you become a better modeller; An amazing inspiration, and great educator; His work was an amazing inspiration and his forum addressed a real need for WWI information.”
Tributes from forum members have poured in from around the planet, most from people in other countries who he never met, but who knew him through the hobby and the forum and regarded him as a member of their own family.
Their eloquent tributes speak of a generous man who created a global phenomenon through his website and WW1 forum, as well as his unstinting praise and encouragement of others to advance the hobby.
He brought thousands of people together from all over the world, to share a common hobby interest, and foster new friendships which cross international and language boundaries.
Many of his forum friends have expressed the strongest wish that Des’ forum and website are preserved and continue, as the best tribute to him and proof of his legacy.
To his thousands of Forum friends, Des will always be with us.
Rest in Peace Des, all of us here thank you for the wonderful WW1 community you created, which will continue as your legacy.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
