Delbert D. Purdin, age 81, died April 19, 2015 at home. Mr. Purdin, know as Del to his family and friends, was born on June 12, 1933 in Greenfield, Ohio.He enlisted in the Navy in 1952 and was cited for bravery while serving in Vietnam in 1966. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1971, he entered military recreation and served as Athletic Director at NAB Little Creek from 1972-1980 and NAS Oceana from 1980-1982; as Head General Recreation at NAVSTAT, Norfolk 1982-83 and again as Athletic Director at NAB Little Creek from 1983 until his retirement in 1998. Recognized as one of the top recreators in military sports, he was honored as CINCLANTFLT Athletic Director of the Year 16 times. In 1984, he received the Naval Military Personal Command Individual Achievement Award for achievements in Navy Sports and the Southeastern Virginia Special Olympics named their Annual Basketball Tournament “The Del Purdin Games” for his many contributions. He received the Department of the Navy Civilian Achievement Award in 1988 and was inducted into The Navy Welfare and Recreational Hall of Fame in 1990.Del is survived by his loving wife, Brenda B. Purdin of Virginia Beach; sons, Delbert II and Rodney of VA Beach, VA and Eugene of Knotts Island, NC; daughters, Debra Stoll of VA Beach, VA and Tracy Darden of Knotts Island, NC; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; stepdaughter Tammy Cassera of Brooksville, FL; stepsons Todd Hann of Forest Hill, MD and Mark Hann of Berkeley Springs, WV; step granddaughter Tylor Baier and 7 step grandchildren. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Altmeyer Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
