periodically, the following fails when assigning qdf.sql, with "3167
Record is deleted."

Dim qdf As DAO.QueryDef

Set qdf = CurrentDb.QueryDefs("qryPurOpenListPT")
qdf.SQL = strsql
qdf.Close


strsql is a valid sql statement that returns 2 records
since I'm using the runtime package, I can only log the error a text
file, but I'd like to resolve the issue, but how ?

wow.. it looks to me like you're using an obsolete method.. you should just move to SQL Server.

Create Procedure spHelloWorld
as
Select 'Hello World' as theAnswer

that's a lot easier than all your DAO bullshit.