Earl Leslie McMaster, age 75, of Hockessin, Delaware, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, of sudden heart failure.
He was born in Detroit to the late Earl C. McMaster and Gail McWilliams McMaster, and was raised in Berkley, MI. Graduated from Berkley High School (1968), undergrad at Michigan State. He had Physics degrees from Cornell University and University of California, Irvine. He worked on the space shuttle and GPS programs (1970’s), did research in biophysics and computational quantum mechanics (1980’s). He did computer consulting (1990-2000) for the upcoming millennium.
Earl started taking classes at OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) and got very involved. He instructed the Rock Band class for eight years, as well as teaching Guitar Theory and Advanced Guitar. His interests include playing guitar, bass, trumpet, and keyboards; sailing; exercise/nutrition, theoretical physics and mathematics. He was a great musician and was in many bands. At OLLI, he was in the Concert Band, Intermediate Band, the Real Book, Big Band Jazz Ensemble, as well as playing in the Solid Gold Singers. Outside of OLLI, he was in three bands: Rhythm Doctors, Music Masters and Diamond State Concert Band.
He liked all sports, but loved his Detroit sports teams, especially the Detroit Red Wings (never missed a hockey game on the tube). He loved going to Charlevoix, MI, every summer with his friends for the week-long music festival. He belonged to the New Castle Sailing Club for many years and loved racing. He won first place in the races and was Club Champion several years in a row.
Earl is survived by his sister, Pat of Waterford, MI; Sister-in-law Claire King, San Diego, CA; brother-in-law David Kastner, Elko, NV; many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews; his good friend Ann Meyer of Hockessin, DE; his former wife Sandy Issler, PhD, Newark, DE; his long-time friends from Michigan: Jim Pearson, Duane Griffus, Jim Gartner, and Rob Polsgrove. He is predeceased by his siblings: Ronald King, June Kastner and Donna (Marvin) Bond.
There are no words to describe our grief at his loss. Earl was so beloved by his many friends in Michigan and Delaware. We will all miss him greatly.
VISITATION will be Sunday, February 15, from 2:00-4:00 followed by a SERVICE at 4:00 at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19808.
BURIAL will be in Michigan.
Donations may be made to: OLLI Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI.UDEL.EDU), or American Heart Association www.heart.org
