Richard V. Derrick
October 12th, 1945 - April 3rd, 2025
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Richard's Obituary
Richard V. Derrick has gone to the 19th Hole in the Great Beyond after living a life that was par for the course.
Dick and Arlys Derrick welcomed “Thumper” in 1945. Rich spent his early years in Ludington MI where he had a brief acting career taking the title role in “The Lazy Brownie”, a 2nd grade Christmas play. Later he portrayed Young Marquette in the Mason Co Centennial.
Rich taught himself to read before kindergarten and remained an avid reader throughout his life. His enormous collection of books represented his interest in history, especially the Civil War, and science and fantasy fiction.
As a teen he had a paper route that included Silver Beach. Next employment was doing obituaries for the Herald Press. Rich graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and continued his education at Lake Michigan College. He then served his country in the US Army stationed in Okinawa. A long career with Whirlpool followed.
He enjoyed travel to Europe, the Great Lakes area, Civil War battlefields, Florida and various golf courses. Even before retiring, Rich was passionate about golf and accumulated league awards. He was also a lifelong Detroit Lions fan.
He was preceeded in death by his parents and brother-in -law Warren Skoda. He is survived by sisters Terri Moore (Paul), Debbie Gibbs (Danny), Joan Skoda, brother Peter (Hope) and nieces Valerie Colvert, Dana Hurst, Tania Comly, nephews John Moore, Nathaniel Gibbs, Jacob Gibbs, Gregg Marsh, Nathan Marsh, great niece Elysia Soriano.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests supporting the work of Civil War Battlefield Preservation – American Battlefield Trust. Friends & Family will be invited to an internment service with military rites at 10:00 A.M. Monday, May 12, at Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery and a Celebration of Life Gathering beginning at 12:00 P.M. at Indian Lake Hills Golf Club, 55321 Brush Lake Rd., Eau Claire 49111. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Rich’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Dick and Arlys Derrick welcomed “Thumper” in 1945. Rich spent his early years in Ludington MI where he had a brief acting career taking the title role in “The Lazy Brownie”, a 2nd grade Christmas play. Later he portrayed Young Marquette in the Mason Co Centennial.
Rich taught himself to read before kindergarten and remained an avid reader throughout his life. His enormous collection of books represented his interest in history, especially the Civil War, and science and fantasy fiction.
As a teen he had a paper route that included Silver Beach. Next employment was doing obituaries for the Herald Press. Rich graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and continued his education at Lake Michigan College. He then served his country in the US Army stationed in Okinawa. A long career with Whirlpool followed.
He enjoyed travel to Europe, the Great Lakes area, Civil War battlefields, Florida and various golf courses. Even before retiring, Rich was passionate about golf and accumulated league awards. He was also a lifelong Detroit Lions fan.
He was preceeded in death by his parents and brother-in -law Warren Skoda. He is survived by sisters Terri Moore (Paul), Debbie Gibbs (Danny), Joan Skoda, brother Peter (Hope) and nieces Valerie Colvert, Dana Hurst, Tania Comly, nephews John Moore, Nathaniel Gibbs, Jacob Gibbs, Gregg Marsh, Nathan Marsh, great niece Elysia Soriano.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests supporting the work of Civil War Battlefield Preservation – American Battlefield Trust. Friends & Family will be invited to an internment service with military rites at 10:00 A.M. Monday, May 12, at Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery and a Celebration of Life Gathering beginning at 12:00 P.M. at Indian Lake Hills Golf Club, 55321 Brush Lake Rd., Eau Claire 49111. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Rich’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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Additional Visitation Information
Friends may gather with the Family to celebrate Richard's Life on Monday, May 12, 2025 beginning at 12:00 P.M. at Indian Lake Hills Golf Club, 55321 Brush Lake Rd., Eau Claire, MI 49111