Chester B Derr Obituary
In his home, surrounded by his loving family, Chet Derr, age 95, of Brewster, NY, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2015.
Born on March 15, 1920, in Wilmington, DE, Chet was the son of the late Olin Derr and Emily Hand Derr. On May 29, 1943, Chet married the love of his life Jane Collingwood in Northfield, Vermont. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in chemistry and was a B-29 bomber pilot in World War II. He worked for over 50 years in the chemical and plastic industries. For 25 of those years, he worked at American Optical as a polymer chemist, where he was granted patents for improving the manufacturing process. Chet lived most of his life in his beloved 200 year old home in South Woodstock, CT. He was a master craftsman and inventor and worked tirelessly to restore his home, often late into the night. Chet also loved gardening and stamp and coin collecting. But most of all, he loved his family and we will remember him for his kind, gentle ways, always with a smile and a thank you.
Chet is survived by his loving daughters Linda McGrath and husband Michael of West Chester, PA, and Jane Monahon and husband Bob of Brewster, NY, his son Chet Derr III and wife Jo Ann of Swampscott, MA, his cherished eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. Chet was predeceased by his wife Jane, his grandson Douglas McGrath, his sister Barbara Chenoweth and brother John Derr.
The family will receive friends on Monday, August 17, 2015, between 3:00 and 5:00PM at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave, Brewster, NY, 10509, (845) 279-3615, www.beecherfuneralhome.com. Afterwards, there will be a short service celebrating his life at 5:00PM.
A graveside service will be held at his final resting place at the Vine Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, MA, on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at 11AM.
For the past ten years, Chet lived with his daughter Jane, who cared for him with great love and compassion. The family also wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care given to Chet by his companions Dora Osei and Tess Adatsi, his hospice nurse Barbara from Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam and Demetria, his nurse from the VNA of Hudson Valley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to: Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam, 540 White Plains Road, Ste 300, Tarrytown, NY 10591, www.vnahv.org.
Born on March 15, 1920, in Wilmington, DE, Chet was the son of the late Olin Derr and Emily Hand Derr. On May 29, 1943, Chet married the love of his life Jane Collingwood in Northfield, Vermont. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in chemistry and was a B-29 bomber pilot in World War II. He worked for over 50 years in the chemical and plastic industries. For 25 of those years, he worked at American Optical as a polymer chemist, where he was granted patents for improving the manufacturing process. Chet lived most of his life in his beloved 200 year old home in South Woodstock, CT. He was a master craftsman and inventor and worked tirelessly to restore his home, often late into the night. Chet also loved gardening and stamp and coin collecting. But most of all, he loved his family and we will remember him for his kind, gentle ways, always with a smile and a thank you.
Chet is survived by his loving daughters Linda McGrath and husband Michael of West Chester, PA, and Jane Monahon and husband Bob of Brewster, NY, his son Chet Derr III and wife Jo Ann of Swampscott, MA, his cherished eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. Chet was predeceased by his wife Jane, his grandson Douglas McGrath, his sister Barbara Chenoweth and brother John Derr.
The family will receive friends on Monday, August 17, 2015, between 3:00 and 5:00PM at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave, Brewster, NY, 10509, (845) 279-3615, www.beecherfuneralhome.com. Afterwards, there will be a short service celebrating his life at 5:00PM.
A graveside service will be held at his final resting place at the Vine Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, MA, on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at 11AM.
For the past ten years, Chet lived with his daughter Jane, who cared for him with great love and compassion. The family also wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care given to Chet by his companions Dora Osei and Tess Adatsi, his hospice nurse Barbara from Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam and Demetria, his nurse from the VNA of Hudson Valley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to: Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam, 540 White Plains Road, Ste 300, Tarrytown, NY 10591, www.vnahv.org.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Chester B Derr hosted by Beecher Funeral Home.
Events
Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Chester B Derr.