Obituary of John Gustav Delly

John Gustav Delly, age 89, passed away on April 21, 2024. He was Professor Emeritus of Chemical Microscopy at The McCrone Group's Hooke College of Applied Sciences and Scientific Advisor at McCrone Associates in Illinois. He has more than 50 years of experience in microscopical research, particularly contaminant identification. He has taught courses in microscopy and photomicrography and developed microscopy training for specific industries. A designer of microscopical accessories, he is the author of more than 500 publications, including Kodak's "Photography Through the Microscope." During his professional career, he was a member of the Royal Microscopical Society, The Quekett Microscopical Club (Honorary Member), The Postal Microscopical Society (Honorary Member), The New York Microscopical Society (former Educational Chairman), The State Microscopical Society of Illinois (1995 National Award Recipient, Honorary Member, and the 2024 Recipient of the Chamot Medal), The Microscope Historical Society, The Microscopical Society of Southern California, The American Chemical Society, and The American Scientific Glassblowers Society. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology and has judged entries for photomicrography competitions, including Nikon's Small World and The Polaroid Instant Photomicrography Competition. As a member of the prestigious group Hugo's Companions, he was elected to membership in the exclusive Sherlockian organization The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic.). He served in the U.S. Army Medical Service (36th Evacuation Hospital & Brooke Army Hospital) during the Korean War.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother (John & Anna (Cukan)), his wife Thelma Louise (Mayne), his daughter Veronica Allegra, and his sister Ludmila Ann. He is survived by his daughters Victoria Vanessa and Sonya Anastasia, four grandsons (Aaron, Adam, Alec & Austin), two granddaughters (Anna (Kristina) & Cristina (David)), and two great-granddaughters (Kamila & Mya). He also leaves behind beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews in the U.S. and Europe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the hospice of your choice. The internment will be private. Arrangements made through McMurrough Funeral Chapel, Libertyville, IL.

P.S. He would like everyone to know that he died with all his toys!