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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Longtime BWCA.com member Dr Bob Derrig passes
 
Author Message Text
DrBobDerrig
08/19/2019 09:29PM
 
Hello all,
Thank you for all your kind words, this is Bob's son Jim Derrig who has finally been going through some of my dads favorite message boards to at least get the word out and not have my dad be a mystery as to where he went!


Yes he passed away last month from pancreatic cancer, seemed unexpected so was really hard to prepare for this time. Mom (Lark) will still be running the small animal vet clinic and the sons and daughter (me, Jeff, Dan and Becky) have been helping her keep the farm and the clinic going! Mom is currently visiting me here in Idaho, even brought her paddle along. It would have been 45 yrs of marriage this Aug. One of the hardest things I have ever experienced.


Thank you again all for being a part of Bob's life, he was an incredible father, husband, veterinarian, scoutmaster, among so many other things that I have got to experience with him. I have been on many paddling trips to BWCA on scout outings and will never forget them and hope to bring my family up there in the future to carry on the legacy!


It would be great to somehow keep mom in the loop with you guys, and help her continue her love of paddling and being up in the BWCA! Me being 1700 miles away from my hometown, and her lifelong paddler partner being now passed, she will always miss those experiences.


My current email is jimderrig@gmail.com and Lark still uses rlderrig@gmail.com PLease pass her along any message and she loves meeting new friends! Thank you again and will keep Bob's love going!


Sincerely,
Jim Derrig
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

 
minnmike
07/04/2019 11:51PM
 
I hope he's paddling his favorite lake with the people he loved and admired that went before him. My thoughts are with all who were touched by him.
 
QueticoMike
08/20/2019 04:59PM
 
Jim,

So sorry to hear of your Father's passing. My condolences to you and your family. May God rest his soul. God bless you and your family.
 
arctic
07/01/2019 04:27PM
 
Very sad and terrible news. Peace to his friends and family.
 
ozarkpaddler
06/30/2019 10:15PM
 
Sad news. Only knew him through his posts, but seemed like a really good person. His presence on the board will definitely be missed. I pray for comfort for those he leaves behind.
 
andym
07/01/2019 05:47AM
 
That’s very sad. It is impressive how many people he helped in so many ways. My condolences to everyone who knew him.
 
AtwaterGA
07/01/2019 06:12AM
 
I pray for his family. He will be missed. He led a wonderful life.
 
drnatus
07/01/2019 06:20AM
 
Thanks for letting us know.
 
jillpine
07/05/2019 03:26PM
 
minnmike: " I hope he's paddling his favorite lake with the people he loved and admired that went before him. My thoughts are with all who were touched by him."
This is a wonderful sentiment about a man who will be missed by many. Rest peacefully, Bob. Smooth waters and dry portages. He was an amazing person.
 
MHS67
06/30/2019 07:45PM
 
Sorry to hear this. He will be missed by both of his families - personnel and Scouting.
 
Savage Voyageur
06/30/2019 06:29PM
 
Very sad to read this. I was in contact with Bob via email last January. He was helping me with a future trip with my camper to Alaska. He wrote me a few long helpful emails. He sounded like a nice man and would help anyone. Paddle on and RIP my friend.
 
Spartan2
06/30/2019 06:38PM
 
It was our joy to finally meet Dr Bob at Canoeopia last year. Such a friendly, thoughtful, interesting man! He will not only be missed by friends and family, but he will be missed on this board, too.


God bless his family. Thoughts and prayers from here.


The Spartans
 
Mocha
06/30/2019 07:51PM
 
Sad day. Sounds like he had a great life and did what he loved.
 
boonie
06/30/2019 08:15PM
 
Sorry to hear this. I didn't meet him personally, but knew him through his many posts here.
 
cowdoc
06/30/2019 09:37PM
 
I chatted with him a few times at the annual WVMA convention. It was nice to talk with someone between meetings about canoeing instead of the latest trends in cow health. A very energetic man who will be missed by many.
 
djwillco
06/30/2019 10:25PM
 
So sad, but just from reading the obit alone you can tell he led a full and generous life. Well done. Rest in Peace.
 
missmolly
06/30/2019 08:40PM
 
Thanks for posting, irishcanoe. Dr. Bob loved kids, model railroading, Scouting, paddling, and woodworking. Sounds like the perfect guy.
 
Basspro69
06/30/2019 09:35PM
 
Very sad to hear God rest his soul !
 
Bannock
07/01/2019 07:05AM
 
So sad. Condolences to his friends and family. He will be missed here, too.
 
irishcanoe
06/30/2019 05:25PM
 
Didn’t know if other board members were aware of his passing.

Obituary Dr Bob Derrig
 
nctry
06/30/2019 05:46PM
 
Great guy! Will be missed. Rest In Peace Bob
 
Jackfish
06/30/2019 06:13PM
 
This makes me very sad. I knew Bob through Scouting and considered him a good friend. When I was the High Adventure chairman for our council and was developing our council contingent to the BWCA and Quetico, Bob was right there to help me by providing canoes, paddles, PFDs and his expertise for our training. He lived the Scout Oath and Law and helped many young men on the Scouting Trail.


In an odd coincidence, I just thought of him yesterday and thought I should drop him an email. Now I wish I had done it a couple weeks ago. Yes, indeed, a very sad day. My condolences to his wife, Lark, and their family.
 
Jackfish
08/19/2019 09:59PM
 
Jim, what a wonderful letter to the group! Thank you for doing that. I knew your Dad through Scouting and he was an excellent, respected Scoutmaster. I know when I ever needed something, he was always there with everything that I needed.


I'm glad your Mom is doing ok and that she will still be active with the vet clinic and other family activities. Please wish her well for me.


Pete (Jackfish)
 
yellowcanoe
07/06/2019 01:40PM
 
Never met him but always enjoyed his posts.
A cow vet has a TOUGH job.. always at risk of getting butted or kicked.


So soon.. cancer so cruel
 
520eek
08/20/2019 10:31PM
 
So sorry to hear of this...RIP
 
adam
07/04/2019 09:45PM
 
Sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers for his family.
 
HighnDry
07/04/2019 08:26AM
 
Oh, that IS sad! He was a positive voice and perspective on this site. I will miss his posts.
 
walllee
07/04/2019 09:13AM
 
Condolences to family and friends... always enjoyed his posts.
 
Pinetree
07/04/2019 09:39AM
 
Prayers to his family,he will be missed on this site also,always willing to help someone.
 
bwcasolo
07/01/2019 06:30AM
 
Condolences to his family. I also enjoyed his participation here.
 
timatkn
07/01/2019 12:45PM
 
He will be missed!


T
 
bfurlow
07/01/2019 12:57PM
 
Sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed his posts here.
 
GeoFisher
07/01/2019 12:56PM
 
Sad news to hear..........I always loved reading his scouting stories, here and other places.

He loved introducing the Parks to new members, and that will keep his legacy going. He will be a missed member of this community.

God rest his soul.

 
walllee
07/04/2019 09:15AM
 
Condolences to the family.
 
Jaywalker
07/04/2019 09:52AM
 
Very sorry to see this. My condolences to his family and friends.