Obituary of Delbert Eli Atkins

Delbert Atkins of Iowa City passed away peacefully in his sleep at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics at the age of 59. For the past seven years Delbert was manager of the Mad Hatter Room, one of the micro enterprises at the Uptown Bill's Small Mall. He was extremely popular with both customers and volunteers and widely known as one of the most generous people in the community. He helped out financially and gave counsel to many troubled people. Del had many interests, among them cooking, collecting cooking sauces from around the world and collecting Harley Davidson memorabilia. His interest in motorcycles included repairing cycles and on occasion building them from the ground up. At the Small Mall, Del was known as the Mad Hatter and managed the weekend events in his Mad Hatter Room, including a Friday night Open Mic and the regular Saturday night free concerts. Local musicians recognized him as an authority on a wide range of music. Annually he put on a Halloween party at the Mall with the decorations drawn from his own extensive collection. While Delbert, who was born in Muscatine, is not survived by any involved family members, he is survived by his "family" of small Mall regulars. As one of the founders of Uptown Bill's, Del will be sorely missed by his friends who have arranged for an open memorial service to be held at the Mall on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. Although he struggled with lifelong disabilities, Del credited his "foster family," the Tapscots of Des Moines and Indianola, Lois Hahn, his intimate friend, and the Mall as helping him find both a place and purpose in life. Delbert worked at a variety of jobs during the past 35 years in Iowa City, working as an aide at Iowa Care Center, a personal attendant to a handicapped man for the Welfare Department, and later as a security guard at ACT. In his work at the Mall and in his life in the community, Delbert was popular among children and special populations. Kids often came to the Mall with the parents to be welcomed and admired by Del. William, a man with Down syndrome, routinely visited him on Friday nights to get a weekly hug and special words of attention from Del. William made his own get well card, a picture of a hospital with the sun shining down on it. The card was delivered to Del's hospital bed before his death - William had addressed the card "to Dill." For his "family" friends at the Small Mall, Delbert will leave a "big" space in the program, difficult to fill. As one of the founders of Uptown Bill's, Del will be sorely missed by his friends who have arranged for an open memorial service to be held at the Mall on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. Family and friends request any memorial contributions be made to the Extend the Dream Foundation, 401 S. Gilbert St., the sponsor of Uptown Bill's and the Mad Hatter Room. Online condolences may be sent for Del’s family of friends through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service has assisted in Delbert’s arrangements.