“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Robert Edward DeLuryea, age 90, lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

He is survived by his wife, Lynda (Brown) DeLuryea; children Edward DeLuryea (Shari Holzman DeLuryea), Lynne DeLuryea Covill (Wayne Covill); and grandchildren William and Cae Covill, Brian, Lisa and Nathan DeLuryea.

Bob was born March 21, 1935 in Aurora, Illinois, to Rutherford and Selma (Kixmiller) DeLuryea. He became an avid golfer at age 11 and was on the varsity golf teams at Downers Grove High School and Iowa State University. He graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree and with four years of ROTC, as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force.

As Fire Control systems officer for the F89/F102 Fighter Squadron in Portland, Oregon, he was proud to say that from 1957-1960, no enemies attacked the west coast on his watch. Upon discharge, he attended Harvard University, earning an MBA in 1962. During the summer between the two-year program, Bob had a job with Humble Oil (now Exxon) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There he met Lynda Brown on a blind date. They married at Harvard’s Appleton Chapel on February 2, 1962.

He took a job with IBM as a systems engineer in Denver, Colorado. From there they were moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where their daughter, Lynne Marie was born. Next stop was Seattle, Washington, as IBM Data Center manager and the birth of son, Edward Guy. In 1973 he was sent to IBM Corporate Headquarters, Armonk, N.Y.

The family then settled in Danbury, and joined the First Congregational Church where he served many leadership roles including moderator and long-time treasurer. With the kids in colleges, Bob was sent to IBM European Headquarters in Paris, France, for three magical years. While there they joined the American Church in Paris (ACP) where he again quickly was asked to serve as moderator.

Upon return to the US, he joined American & Foreign Christian Union (AFCU), the organization that manages endowments for three international churches including the ACP. Again, he served in leadership positions including president of the Board.

Bob took early retirement from IBM and immediately became manager of business volumes for ROLM Systems in Norwalk. After a second retirement he was called back as a contractor for IBM working in Nagano, Japan, for the 1998 Olympics. He became fully retired in 1997 and found time for golf with Ye Royal Order of Golf Twisters where he served several leadership roles including “Noggin Twister” (president).

He joined Danbury Men’s Club, enjoying many activities including lots of bridge games. Bob and Lynda fell in love with cruising and visited many areas of this marvelous world. They also spent winter months in Hilton Head, S.C., where again he was asked to help and quickly became president of their HOA Board. With help and urging from Lynda, they researched family history and he became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

In 2010, yard work had lost its allure so they moved to a condo in Newtown, where he also served on the Board, as “no” wasn’t in his vocabulary.

Bob is remembered by his loved ones and many friends as a man of remarkable intelligence, with a solid moral core, a gentle heart, and always ready to help.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Monday, November 3, at 1 pm, at First Congregational Church, 164 Deer Hill Avenue in Danbury. If you would like to make a gift in his memory, we suggest the American Parkinson Disease Association, PO Box 750, Merrifield VA 22116-0844, or apdaparkinson.org/PDSupport.

“You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” —Matthew 23:23