Delden Monroe Haven Obituary (1930

Delden 'Del' Haven Delden "Del" Monroe Haven, longtime El Dorado County business pioneer and civic leader turned world traveler, died April 16, 2021 surrounded by loving family. He was 90. Mr. Haven established deep roots in El Dorado County, owning the first gas station in El Dorado Hills, helping found the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce and serving on the El Dorado County Grand Jury. Born Oct. 12, 1930 to Oklahoma sharecroppers who made their way to California as part of the famed "Okie Migration," Mr. Haven would serve his country during the post-Korean War period before settling in the foothills of northern California to raise a family, start a business, and grow his community. With those tasks complete, he set off with his wife to see the world. An entrepreneur from his earliest days. Mr. Haven went from delivering the Sacramento Bee and raising rabbits for sale during World War II, to earning a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Economics from Valparaiso University. Cpl. Haven's military service included a tour as company clerk for the 519th Military Police in Wonju, Korea. He married Lynn James Haven in 1953, and the couple was married for 68 years. Opportunity knocked in 1964 as the community of El Dorado Hills began to sprout along the two lanes which comprised Highway 50. Working at Union Oil Company at the time, Mr. Haven scraped together needed funds, quit his job with Union and leased the new service station in tiny El Dorado Hills. He would own and operate the 76 Station for the next 20 years, lighting and extinguishing the revolving "76 ball" for two decades, while participating in the remarkable evolution of the beautiful community. As El Dorado Hills grew, Mr. Haven joined fellow business owners to establish the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, which counted among their earliest victories getting national map companies to add El Dorado Hills to their publications. As president of the Chamber, he worked with El Dorado Hills developers, testifying in a legal victory which prevented large and unsightly electrical transmission lines from being located at the newly established entry to El Dorado Hills, preserving the beautiful experience of driving into the community that continues today. With retirement nearing, the Havens sold the 76 Station and moved to Cameron Park, retaining a deep commitment to El Dorado Hills. Mr. Haven proved he was not quite ready to fully retire and for the next 13 years worked as a real estate agent and assistant manager for Cook & Cook Realtors. At age 67, Mr. Haven retired for a second time, and set off with his wife to explore the globe. Their travels took them to the United Kingdom, and on an African safari to Kenya. With a hip replacement, he walked the Great Wall of China. Joining a mission trip with Light of the Hills Church in Cameron Park, the Havens traveled to Russia to teach English to high school students, and two more mission trips to the small village of Kabimoi, Kenya followed. Their wanderlust also took them to adventures across the United States, exploring the back roads of New England, the bright lights of New York City, and the tranquility of Mammoth Lake. Together, the Havens discovered a small town in northern Florida called "Lynn Haven" among other travel quests. Mr. Haven is survived by his wife, Lynn Haven; two brothers, Jack Herbert Haven and William (Bill) Haven; sister Jane Garmen; brother-in-law Jim Gibson; two sons Curt Haven (Marjorie) of Gold River and Brad Haven (Teri) of Merced; daughter Mickey Haven-Porter (Paul Porter) of Bodega Bay; nine grandchildren, Alicia Evangelista, Andrea Haven, Matthew Haven, Robyn Kopp, Derek Kopp, BJ Haven, Jed Haven, Sunshine Haven and Abraham Haven; and eight great-grandchildren, Kaleb Evangelista, Elias Arthur, Joslynn Arthur, Davis Haven, Romy Haven, Winston Haven, Roman Haven, Callen Haven and Charlie Haven. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 22 at Light of the Hills Lutheran Church in Cameron Park. A memorial fund has been established at Light of the Hills Scholarship Fund, 3100 Rodeo Road, Cameron Park CA 95682.