MEMORIAL ARTICLE Published Assembly May 2002 HORACE FREDERICK DERRICK * '46 No. 16039 * 29 Mar 1924 -- 12 Aug 2001 Died at Laurel, MD * Inurned at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

Fred Derrick was born in Chesterton, MD and moved to Towson, MD at a young age. His father was County Agricultural Agent of Baltimore County, MD. As a boy, Fred was an outdoors person. He liked nothing better than to roam in the woods with his dog. He loved camping and hiking and was to continue this avocation for the remainder of his life. At Towson High School, Fred was on the track team and was his class president for two years before graduating in 1942. He then attended the University of MD for two semesters before gaining his appointment to West Point where he joined the Class of 1946 on 1 July 1943.

Cadet life presented no major problems for Fred. He was an assistant ski instructor his last year. He pinned on second lieutenant bars in the Coast Artillery Corps, later to become Air Defense, at graduation.

While on graduation leave, Fred married his high school sweetheart, Iva Thomas, on 21 July 1946 in Ruxton, MD. After basic artillery schooling at Ft. Sill, OK and Ft Bliss, TX, the Derricks went to Japan. Fred served in gun units for three years in post - war Japan. He returned to the States to serve with the old 1st Guided Missile Group and helped to develop and test the earliest American missile system. Later Fred taught and directed instruction on NIKE guided missiles at the Air Defense Center, Ft Bliss, TX and in Oberammergau, Germany. Later, while serving with the Army Air defense Command Headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO, Fred developed the Army portion of the Radar Bomb Scoring Program to provide sophisticated training for SAC aircraft crews as well as Army missile units. Fred retired from active duty in 1967 at Ft. Bliss, TX.

After retirement, Fred was the Army's project engineer for development of the CHAPARRAL air defense missile. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, woodworking and reading. Fred liked to acquire knowledge so he took evening courses at the U of MD in anthropology, geology and language. Fred developed heart problems and in 1975 suffered cardiac arrest after open-heart surgery. He often said he died once and that he looked forward to someday seeing that peaceful 'place' to which he expected to return.

Fred Derrick died 12 August 2001. Survivors include his wife, Iva; sons, Robert and Thomas, and sister, Grace Hoover

Those who knew and loved him will long remember Fred Derrick. Here are some of their thoughts and remembrances of a very fine man and son of West Point.

From classmate and fellow artilleryman, Frank Schoen who served with Fred in Japan back in 1947: "His natural leadership abilities were always evident and they seemed to spring from an innate compassion for fellow human beings and concern for their welfare regardless of their station in life. Fred was always fun to be with and had an optimistic outlook and cheerful attitude."

His sister Grace wrote: "Fred was very proud of having graduated from West Point. He was a loving, caring husband and a wonderful brother to me. He was always and in all ways a gentleman and I am proud to be his sister."

His niece, Catherine remembered: "I had extreme respect and admiration for my uncle Fred. It seemed to me that he savored everything about life. The way he lived his life and his views about life and death are an inspiration to me."

Excerpts from the remarks at Fred's service, delivered by his son, Bob: "Dad gave me love in the form of his time rather than being demonstrative. Dad was an outdoorsman extraordinaire and gave me an appreciation of nature. Dad gave me the ability to be compassionate. Through his example I learned empathy and understanding. He was a living example of Duty, Honor, Country. Dad gave me security. He was always there. That is why it will be so hard not to have his earthly vessel around but I know he still here…and he is there."

Fred had written and recorded his own eulogy which was played at his memorial service. It said: "Dear God, We thank you for the many blessings you have given us. For this sojourn on earth where we may observe and relate to your glorious creation. For our intellect, where we may conceive of our creator and work towards understanding your purpose for us. For the life which surrounds us, particularly the joy of having the benefits of friends and family. For the concept of eternity, the realization that we are and will continue to be part of your divine plan. Help us to remember that our fortunes and positions are only loaned to us. That we are only caretakers of your creation for a brief period and that our souls are our only lasting possessions."

Some time ago, when asked how he wanted to be remembered, Fred's reply was only three meaningful words: "Duty, Honor, Country."

The Class of 1946 is proud to add these words that would mean so much to our classmate: "Well Done, Fred; Be Thou At Peace!"
 
 

'46 Memorial Article Project and his family