I worked with Dave for many years at NetApp. Dave was the kind of person that if you saw him walking toward your way, you knew you were in for a witty comment and a laugh. Reading many of the memories shared here, I gather that he had that impact on many others as well. I remember one time that Dave and I arrived early to a meeting. We got to talking about family and it wasn't long before we were laughing and telling stories as the rest of the team members filed into the room.  We eventually got the meeting going but it was nice to make that connection. Dave will be missed for sure. 

I had the pleasure of hiring Dave at NetApp several years ago, and as much as he impressed us with his technical ability, it was his calm demeanor and personality that made the biggest impact on our customers and his team. After Dave moved on to other roles within the company, it was always a pleasure to run into him and have a quick chat. Every time I walked away from those conversations, the same thought crossed my mind: What a great person and a smart guy, I would love to have him on my team any day. You will be missed Dave. Condolences to the family. Thank you for letting the NetApp family get to know him. 

Dave was such a friendly, low-stress person.  He could talk to anyone about anything, it seemed.  I will miss him. 
 I will remember him every time I get coffee at Starbucks. He always had a cup of coffee in his hand (unless he had wine instead).  Once he caught me adding cream and sugar to my Starbucks coffee and said, "No, no--the reason you buy expensive coffee is so you don't have to add cream and sugar!"  The memory makes me smile. 

Dave,

It was always a great pleasure working with you on projects with your very positive, can-do attitude and your willingness to take care of whatever needed to be done.  You will be missed.

Thanks for the Memories,
John George

When I heard of Dave's passing I was in shock. More often I would bring a group down to see Dave in one of the Engine rooms. When Dave wasn't presenting, we would talk and laugh for as long as time would allow.  Many times I would be late getting to the next area, as I lost track of time chatting away with Dave.  Dave was extremely knowledgeable when it came to discussing the Ship in general, or more so, the area in which he would be talking about. I loved his personality, Dave was just a genuine guy you wanted to know as a friend and keep him a friend. One time we pulled in the parking lot together and as we got out and started walking he told me of his trip down as it wasn't a good one. We eventually laughed and continued talking until we went our separate ways aboard Ship.

You'll be missed dearly my friend

May you have Fair Winds and Following Seas

But don't worry, We have the Watch!

Dave,

You will be greatly missed and rest in peace my friend. Your assistance at work will be greatly missed too and I will miss working with you.

Regards,
C-Rod

Living across from Dave and his family have been wonderful. Dave was a super friendly neighbor, who seemed to move thru life with no rush, no worry, and a pleasant smile. He always took the time to walk out and get the mail and to stop over and talk a little. Most times it was when I was working in the yard with my flowers. We had a running joke that I was simply doing "too much work."  He also said he would help, but only thru suggestion not physical work. Not that I would have expected him to help. His smile, his humor,  and his company will be missed.

RIP Dave- may you have a fair wind and a following sea

Rest in Peace, shipmate.  We have the watch. 

I am so sorry to learn of Dave's passing. What a shock! I worked with him at the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA and he was such a fountain of knowledge, inquisitive, and so kind. He will be greatly missed here. I am very sorry for your family's loss.
Blessings,
Mary Ames Booker, Curator, Battleship NORTH CAROLINA

Carol, Elizabeth and Tyler - I probably don't have to tell you that Dave was AMAZING and possessed an incredible mind and a cheerful, can do attitude.  As a volunteer at Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, he was always up for a challenge.  He actively participated in two of our most popular adult programs as a presenter: Hidden Battleship and Power Plant.  He was so flexible that he served as an understudy for people as well - forward super structure, aft steering, evaporators, diesels, cold storage compressors, etc.  He loved learning new aspects about the ship, including our Kingfisher simulator program.   Whenever he was at the ship he had a non-stop grin on his face and bounce in his step.  He loved sharing the ship with Tyler and had just brought him to the last Hidden Battleship on March 23.  Dave was a presenter of cold storage, the aft diesel and aft steering.   He was a true team player.   His joy and brilliance will continue to light our hearts.    

Dave  Derry was a kind and gentle person who I knew thru the Pirates'  Cove Homeowners Association .  He spent many years volunteering and  working  for the betterment of  our association.  He served as President of the HOA  and was "jack of all trades" for many needed services he performed for us.

I shall miss him greatly.  He was wonderful to work with and a really genuine person who was  always laughing and taking  life in stride.  His sense of humor was remarkable.

To Dave's family:  Please accept my sincere sympathies for your loss.

Sandra Biggers




I enjoyed working with Dave for a year or so on 3rd shift. Not sure how much he liked working nights  :-) . Dave always had a smile, never had a bad thing to say about anyone or anything and knew networking forward and backwards. After he moved to another team and working days I would see him once in awhile. He or I working late, usually in the lab. Dave always looked like he just woke up...no matter what time of the day it was. Hair kind of disheveled, maybe one shirt tail untucked. But you knew whatever he was working on would be top notch work. 

I knew Dave from Troop 210. He texted me over a year ago asking for me to take over his role as merit badge coordinator. I answered by telling him that I didn't know I could do it since I knew little about it. He told me he had all confidence I could do it. He made it very easy to transition while still being available if I needed. His notes were so organized and precise that it eased my anxiety really fast. He was so patient and kind. I got to know Tyler a bit and would asked Dave about his new adventure in Sea Scouts. You could tell how involved and caring of a father he was. His passing will leave a void in the scouting family. I send my condolences to his family.  

Dave helped out Troop 210 for many years both as merit badge counselor coordinator and also helping consistently with projects such as our annual luminaria distribution.  He is going to be greatly missed. I hope if there is anything the scouts or I can do to help out the family, we 'd be happy to do so.  A true scout, Dave exemplified especially helpful, friendly, kind, and cheerful (but all 12 - he was the complete package).  

I am one of Tyler’s sea Scout friends and wanted to say how sweet he was. He was always at the meetings and I even joked he was my “scout dad” his passing was a shock and I took it very hard. I wanted to share  that Mr. Derry was making me laugh everyday and will be missed.

OBITUARY

Dave Derry

October 25, 1962 – March 27, 2019

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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