Derek B. Benicewicz

BENICEWICZ Derek B. Derek B. Benicewicz, 24, formerly of Loudonville, N.Y., died at his residence on September 29, 2010. Derek was born on July 27, 1986 in Rio Rancho, N.M., the son of Drs. Brian and Pamela (King) Benicewicz. Derek was a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The Georgia Institute of Technology. He was an avid hiker, expert skier, and third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He moved with his parents and sister, Leigh Ann, from N.M. to N.Y. when he was 11. He attended Loudonville Elementary, Shaker Jr., and Shaker Sr. High Schools, and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2008 with majors in both economics and chemistry. Derek had many, many friends, and was known by classmates as "Debow", a nickname given to him by his 6th-grade teacher who never could pronounce his last name. He will be remembered for his intelligence, his wit and wry sense of humor, his Karaoke skills, and his best dog Cocoa, who also was born in N.M. and never understood the need for a leash or fence. Derek's family cherish the time they had with him, but he is deeply missed. Survivors include his parents, Pam and Brian Benicewicz of Columbia, S.C.; his sister, Leigh Ann Benicewicz of Boston, Mass.; his grandmothers, Anne Belorit Benicewicz and Ruth Repasky King; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. The Derek Benicewicz Endowed Fellowship Fund has been established at the University of South Carolina as a lasting tribute to his memory, and will be used to assist many future graduate students in organic chemistry. Donations to Derek's fund can be made to University Foundations, c/o Gift Processing, 1600 Hampton Street #736, Columbia, SC 29208. The designation line of the checks should reference the "The Derek Benicewicz Endowed Fellowship Fund".