Obituary of Donald William Derber

Donald William Derber, 91, of Newberry, Florida passed away on May 9, 2016 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Don was born on August 15, 1924 to Harve and Bonnetta, "Bonnie" Hart Derber, the fourth of six children. He, along with siblings Dave, Russell, Bob, Richard and Mary, was raised on their truck farm south of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. After graduating from Oshkosh High School in 1942, he worked at Timken-Detroit Axle Company. At age 18, he proudly joined the United States Army and entered as a Private in May, 1943. He served his country in the 99th Infantry Division, also known as the Checkerboard Division, during World War II. Don was captured the first day of the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944 and remained a German POW until the war's end on May 25, 1945. After the war, he returned to Wisconsin and attended Oshkosh Teachers College.On June 6, 1947, he married Virginia Ruth Burdick, a former high school classmate. On the G.I. Bill, he attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and in May, 1947 he earned a degree in Agriculture; with honors. In 1952, he earned a second degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the Tau Beta Pi; an honorary fraternity. During college and after graduation, he worked as a research engineer at the University's Agricultural Engineering Department in Madison. In September, 1952, he was recruited by the Marketing Development Division of U.S. Steel. He moved his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he worked for 28 years for U.S. Steel and had risen to become the manager of the Machinery Marketing Department. For his outstanding management skills, U.S. Steel sent him to the Executive Development Program at the Graduate School of Business of Cornell University.Don enjoyed spending summers with his family at Wah Wash Kesh Lake in Ontario, Canada. The family stayed in a Bennett Cabin and later; from 1966-2013, at what was commonly called the Cliff House. There, they enjoyed fishing, swimming and other water sports. Don was famous on the lake for his legendary fish fries on the beach. The family made life-time friends with many of the other cottagers at the lake.At age 55, he and his wife Ginny retired to Newberry, Florida. There, they operated a 240 acre ranch and had 100 head of cattle for a cow and calf operation which he maintained until he was 89 years old. Son Dale also helped with work on the ranch. Don was active in the local community, serving as County Director for the North Central Florida Cattlemen's Association. He proudly served one year as President of this association also. Here he became a tried and true fan of the Florida Gators! Don enjoyed working with wood. He had a wood shop where he built furniture, cabinets, doors and other items for the home and children. He also enjoyed gardening and planted camellias in his flower garden.He is survived by his sons David and Dan and daughter Jeanne, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, his brother Richard and sister-in-laws Marie (Richard) and Betty (Bob). He was preceded in death by Ginny, his wife of over 50 years, his son Dale, brothers and sister-in-laws: David and Lois, Russell and Marcella, and Bob; sister and brother-in-law Mary and Charles Ross. Graveside Service, 1:00PM Friday, July 1, 2016 at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Friday, July 1, 2016 1:00PM Florida National Cemetery 6502 SW 102nd Avenue Bushnell, FL 33513 Phone: 719-328-1793