I'm very sorry to hear that Longbox.
I learned a huge amount from Derek early in my career and his support as a Chief Pilot was reassuring.
I remember him saying "Don't ever be afraid to turn down a flight for any reason. I'll probably jump in the machine and go and do it myself, but that's me not you! I'll never criticise you for not doing a task but I will give you a real bollocking for not saying something if you're not sure".
He was certainly a character and his take on the way aviation should work was not to everyone's taste
but I'm a better Pilot for having known and flown with him and I'm sure that's true of many others.
Thanks Derek!