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BORN
1944
DIED
2022
Bruce Derr Obituary
February 28, 1944 - May 6, 2022
Bellingham, Washington - Bruce John Derr, age 78 of Bellingham passed away peacefully on Friday, May 6th. Bruce was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to parents Mary and John. He had the courage to pursue a career in education overseas in Japan. He spent 40 years in Japan with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS). He started as a P.E. teacher / coach and worked his way up to becoming the Superintendent of the Japan School District. As an educator, he had a positive impact on thousands of administrators, teachers, and students. Bruce is survived by his sons Mike and Chris as well as his grandchildren Brennan, Finnegan, Keelan, and Shinnosuke. His spirit will continue to live through his children and grandchildren. He will be missed but never forgotten. "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…and I, I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference".
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Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Derr
Kal Wong, Jr.
May 8, 2023
Coach Derr was a quality gentleman and I was fortunate as one of the many to know him. As a young Army officer at Camp Zama, Coach allowed me to coach with him as the line coach during the mid 1970s. His special ability to coach, teach and treat all his players and coaches as gentlemen carried on to success on the field. Coach, you will always be missed by all your former colleagues and athletes. This world was a much better place because of Coach Derr.
Steve Herring ZHS Class of `81
December 2, 2022
Coach Derr,
A coach to many and a friend to all. Rest In Peace
Chris Zentner
August 30, 2022
Easily the best coach I've ever had or met, a sentiment that I'm positive is shared by hundreds of others that were fortunate to be mentored by him. It's a rarity to find the combination of kindness, personal concern, effectiveness and competitiveness that Coach Derr encompassed. It's no surprise that he made everyone around him better, whatever the sport or endeavor. I had the fortune of being able to communicate with him occasionally over the years, and he will always be one of my heroes. Thank you Coach.
Chris Zentner, Zama HS '84
John Harris
August 26, 2022
Coach Derr was an institution at Zama. No doubt he touched many lives and will be sorely missed by all! Deepest condolences to his family! Go Trojans! ZHS 1982-84
Phyllis Bernal
August 24, 2022
Much sympathy to the family. My son considered him a principal he could call a friend. Rest in peace, Mr. Derr.
Sandra Dean
August 24, 2022
Mr. Derr, you have been a kind, loving teacher to a very poor PE student like me. Thank you so much for warm memories. Please rest in peace.
Victor Rivera
August 24, 2022
May Bruce rest in peace.
He was an awesome human being!
Glenn Haskell ZHS 77-79
May 20, 2022
Memories of Coach will live forever. I am certain.
John Looney, ZHS class of 1981
May 19, 2022
To Coach Derr´s family and friends,
Please accept my condolences for our loss. Bruce is thought of often because of his character which engaged and positively impact so many of us who where fortunate enough to have known him. Peace and blessings to you all. -John
Vince Kucala
May 19, 2022
To the Derr Family, My condolences to each of you. Your Dad, Coach Derr was a wonderful teacher and certainly made an impression in my life as a young man at ZHS. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Vince Kucala, ZHS class of "81"
Dean and Cora Brown
May 14, 2022
We love you, Bruce
Carol Ackermann
May 14, 2022
Bruce lived his life as a positive coach, encouraging and supporting others as he walked through life as a educator. He made each day a better one, even as he tackled big issues. Bruce was fun, bright, funny, thoughtful. He always referred to others as high impact players which is what he was.
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