Robert F. Derk

Robert F. Derk, 95, of Carlisle, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Cumberland Crossings.
He was born on December 28, 1919 in Shamokin, PA, a son of the late Gottlieb Oswald and Lucy Nora Emerick Derk and was the widower of his wife of 56 years, Jean R. Derk.
Robert graduated from Coal Township High School, Shamokin in 1937 and served in the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, FL during World War II. Following his discharge, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and served at Willow Grove Naval Air Station from 1947 to 1958 attaining the rank of Chief Aviation Photographers Mate. He worked at Olmstead AFB in Middletown, PA from 1942 to 1965 as a photographer and camera repairman, working on all types of aerial and reconnaissance cameras. From 1965 to 1976, he lived in Utah while working at Hill AFB, Ogden, UT. He retired as a Section Supervisor of the Technical Branch, Photographic Division at Hill AFB after working for the Air Force for 35 years. Robert was a life member of Cumberland Star Lodge # 197 F&AM and also a life member and past president of the Central PA Rock and Mineral Club of Harrisburg. He was a member of the Carlisle Brethren in Christ Church, the Volunteer Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society.
He is survived by his brother, Chester Derk of Elizabethtown; a sister, Arlene Snyder of York; his daughter, Carol Richardson; seven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, Robert was preceded in death by brothers, Perdon and William Derk; sisters, Verna Raup and Doris Cook; and a daughter, Judith L. Redfoot.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Brethren in Christ Church, 1155 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle with Rev. Linda Lambert officiating. Burial will be private in the family plot at Young's Cemetery, Shermans Dale. There will be a visitation at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his church, Carlisle Brethren in Christ Church, 1155 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17015.
To sign the guestbook, please visit www.hoffmanroth.com