Obituaries

Robert Ira “Bob” Derck

January 26, 2016

Robert Ira “Bob” Derck passed peacefully on January 26th, 2016 surrounded by his wife, Dawn, and children. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, community member, landscape architect and land planner extraordinaire… and he was always “the life of the party”.

He was born in Abington, PA, graduated from Abington High School and then attended Centre College (KY) before graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Landscape Architecture from Syracuse University (1955). He served as an officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers. Bob joined local landscape architect’s Paul McCloud and Buck Scatchard, with fellow Syracuse grad Charlie Edson, to form McCloud, Scatchard, Derck and Edson (now Derck & Edson)…one of the top land planning and landscape architecture firms in the U.S. Bob, and the teams he led, designed and oversaw the construction of many iconic places in the region, including: Lancaster County Central Park, Franklin & Marshall College, Old Town Lancaster, Greenfield Corporate Center, the Willow Valley Community and dozens of schools, colleges, parks and public spaces.

In 1984, Bob and his partners were presented an award by First Lady Nancy Reagan for their design excellence on Lancaster’s Steinman Park. In Lititz, Bob’s designs can be seen in the “pretzel”-themed historic Lititz signs downtown, Zum Anker Alley (now the Bulls Head patio), Lititz Springs Park and throughout the town. He served as President of the American Business Club of Lititz, President of the Lititz Historical Society, Chairman the Lititz Zoning Board, Secretary-Treasurer of the Warwick Ambulance, Trustee of the Lititz Moravian Church, Trustee of Linden Hall, Board Member of Moravian Manor, Board Member of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster and Local Advisory Board Member of Fulton Bank. He is fondly remembered as the comical character, in and co-screenwriter of, numerous amazing AMBUC community plays, a fabulous dancer and humorous story-teller at local functions, a loyal golf and bridge partner and the designer of some of the most fantastically beautiful gardens and landscapes in the area.

He is survived by his wife Dawn, his children Rob Derck (Lititz, PA), Linda Derck Majikes (Richmond, VA) and Gary Derck (Durango, CO), three stepchildren, Steven, Gregory and Suzanne High, five grandsons and ten step-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to gather Friday January 29th from 1:30-2:30 PM at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Moravian Manor, 300 W. Lemon St. Lititz, PA 17543 and directed to help complete Bob’s final garden project.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

March 09, 2016

So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing.  I will always remember his kindness and humor when stopping in the office to visit my dad.  I also enjoyed his roles in the Ambuc plays that ran while growing up in Lititz.  God puts people in our lives, some for just a short time, and Bob entiched mine…
Bob Scatchard
 

January 31, 2016

It was with great saddness that I learned of Bob’s passing .As an architect  ,  I enjoyed working with Bob over the years on many projects. We had fun professionally and after hours often played basketball at the rear of his home. The Ray Associates team “the Ray Gunners” took on his landscape architectural team in sopirited competition! It was great a great time.
Bob’s talent and sense of design were second to none. His legacy is secured. We have lost a great friend and a great talent.I share my sincere sympathy with his family.
Bob Hoffman

January 31, 2016

SORRY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR LOSS GOD BLESS YOU WILLIAM HOSTETTER
 

January 29, 2016

To Rob Derck and family:   My sincere sympathy to you in the loss of your father.  He left a real legacy in terms of the landscape developments that he designed and implemented.  I know how much you respected him and I know you will miss him. 
Jim Shultz

January 29, 2016

Dear Derck “children,”
I just got off the phone with Susan Yeager, who attended your dad’s service this afternoon. I read his obituary (By the way, it was a lovely tribute to a good man who contributed much in so many ways.) earlier in the week; however, I have been ill with a sinus infection, and because of being “under the weather,” I didn’t follow through with a condolence message as I had intended. It would have been good to see you today and so many other Lititz folks and former students who were in attendance. 
I ran into your father not long ago at the Sutter, and we spoke of you. He appeared to have had a wonderful evening and was in good spirits. Regardless of age or circumstance, the loss of a parent affects us greatly. May wonderful memories comfort you now and in the days ahead. Please know that I am thinking of and praying for all of you.
Deann Buffington

January 27, 2016

My sincere condolences to the Derck family. May you have precious memories and have comfort in God’s promise of seeing your love ones again through the resurrection. (John 5:28,29) My deepest sympathy to you all.  Winsome Williams. 

January 27, 2016

Thinking of you Rob and your family, I am so sorry to hear about your father.  I can remember all my days spent up the street at your house, whether playing basketball or the other horseplay all of us did there!!!  Your dad was a very funny, and extremely kind man.  Prayers and thoughts to you as you go through this sad time.  
With much sympathy, Tracey Miller Mearig

January 27, 2016

Sorry to learn of the passing of Bob. Loved the obit, it described him very well. The front of our property was designed by Bob, a lasting memory, plus all the good times we had together.
John and Phyllis Sauder

January 27, 2016

We.were.so sad to hear of Bob’s passing
…we will miss him dearly.
 
Marsha and Rich Levin

January 27, 2016

Sincere condolences to Rob and the Derck family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  The Sload family

January 27, 2016

Sorry to hear of your loss. May your memories of him live forever in your hearts and minds.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Robin Unangst
 

January 27, 2016

So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob will be remembered for his wonderful work and his wonderful family. And his great wit.
Laura K. Callanan
 
 

Visitation
Friday, January 29, 2016
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Friday, January 29, 2016
2:30 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info