Henry E.I. du Pont Died suddenly on Thursday, January 10, 2002, at the Wilmington General Hospital. Mr. du Pont was born April 18, 1927, at his parents' home on Foxcatcher Farm in Newtown Square, PA. He was the son of the late William du Pont, Jr. and Jean Austin du Pont. He was previously a resident of Wilmington, DE and lived there all his working life until his retirement when he moved to Key West, FL in 1993.
In his early years, he served in the Navy during WWII and was one of the first 100 men ashore beginning the occupation of Japan. After the war, he worked for E.I. DUPONT de NEMOURS Company, Sperry-Rand Corporation. He eventually created his own computer company, SCI TEK, Inc., a national computer service bureau providing scientific and engineering computing to the fortune 500 companies. His company performed work for the DUPONT Co. NASA, Sun Ship, the Franklin Institute, and many others. One of SCI TEK's programs, Securities Validation Corporation kept track of stolen securities for the NYSE and financial institutions, both foreign and domestic. Another subsidiary of SCI TEK, Numerical Control Data Power Inc., provided computer technology to automated assembly manufacturing of General Motors and others.
Mr. du Pont with his wife, Martha (Muffin), are best known for their creation of Child Inc., formerly called the Boys Home of Delaware. Upon Mr. du Pont's marriage to Martha, he gave the agency its first home for children as a wedding present to her. Mr. du Pont continued to purchase buildings and completely underwrote the budget to run Child Inc. for its first 7 years. Child Inc. serves dependent, abused and neglected children and battered women and their families. Mr. du Pont served on the board of Child as a director and treasurer from its inception to his death. Mr. du Pont was also very active in prison reform. He was most interested in the separation of minors incarcerated in adult prisons and went to court to secure their separation. Mr. du Pont sent numerous young person to college who otherwise would not be able to attend. Mr. du Pont's life was a true service to his community and he will be remembered most for his interest in and generosity to disadvantaged young people.
Mr. du Pont had many hobbies and interests, among which were four-in-hand hand carriage driving with his Morgan horses, his collection of classic cars, and fly fishing. He was also a capable aviator. He enjoyed working outdoors on his farm and loved being mistaken as an employee by visitors as he was often indistinguishable. The du Pont's Nemours Morgan Farm was the home of the legendary black Morgan stallion Lord Appleton. Many champion Morgans were also bred by the du Pont's including Nemours Port Royal, Nemours Royal Command, Nemours Royal Legend, Nemours Courageous, Nemours Commandress and Nemours Commanding Prince.
He was predeceased by a son, and is survived by his wife of 34 years, Martha Verge du Pont, 11 children, 21 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Jean Ellen du Pont Sheehan; and 2 brothers, William du Pont II and John du Pont. He was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
A memorial service was held at Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Greenville, DE. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Child Inc., 507 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809.