Derek Bruce Tatlock - Bucktrout Funeral Home and Crematory

Gifts & Memorial Donations

Derek Bruce Tatlock, 85, of Williamsburg, VA passed away from complications of Parkinson’s Disease on December 25, 2016.

Mr. Tatlock was born in Rochester, NY and was a graduate of Brighton High School where he was a member of the swim team and played in the band. He is a graduate of Colby College in Waterville, ME where he joined DKE fraternity, was an active member of the Outing Club and varsity ski team. In 1955 Mr. Tatlock received his Master’s Degree in Geology from the University of Michigan.

Derek married Betty Niner in the summer of 1956. After spending 2 years in the US Army, primarily at Yuma Test Station in Arizona, he moved to Bismark, ND to become a geologist for Mobil Oil. In 1959 he and his family moved from Bismark to work for The Peoples Natural Gas Company in Pittsburgh, PA. He left Peoples Gas to open an office for Templeton Energy and finally started his own consulting firm, Tatlock Exploration, in the early 1980’s which he ran until he retired to Sunapee, NH in the summer of 1998.

Derek was an officer and board member of local, state and national geological associations. He was co-author of The Geology of Western Pennsylvania. In Pittsburgh he was a member of the McCandless Township Planning Board for over 25 years and an active member of the North Area Environmental Council. While living in Sunapee, he was a member of the Planning Board where he helped to form the master plan for the community. He was Program Chairman for the Friends of the Abbott Library for over 5 years.

Derek was an avid skier. He was a long time member of the National Ski Patrol and enjoyed skiing with his family and friends as often as possible. He also loved sailing and bicycling.

Mr. Tatlock is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Beth Snyder (Tim), Susan Stoddard (John), Robbin Tatlock (Jerry Andrews); four grandchildren, Sara Stoddard (Chris Osborn), Corey Stoddard (Sydney), Ross Snyder (Michelle Lei), Drew Snyder (Morgan Williams); and his brother, Ian Tatlock.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bucktrout Funeral Home, 4124 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA. A celebration of Derek’s life will take place at a later date. The family requests memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY, 10305. Williamsburg F.I.S.H., 312 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185, or your favorite charity. The family would like to thank the staff at Spring Arbor Cottage, Hospice Community Care of Newport News, and Bayada Home Care for their loving care and support. Online condolences may be shared at bucktroutfuneralhome.net

Subscribe to this Obituary

Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory

December 27, 2016

Marilyn and Edward Kime and family says:

Betty, Janis just told us of your loss; we want to express our condolence to you and your family. We feel so blessed to have known Derek and his loving and dedicated family. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
December 31, 2016

Michelle Washington says:

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. May you have the utmost confidence in all that God promises. He will soon undue all that death has caused and by means of a resurrection many who have died will live again. (John 5:28-29)
January 02, 2017

Ruth Ann says:

Please extend our sympathy to dear Beth Snyder in the loss of her father. We worked and sang together in the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale for years and share in her loss. Ruth Ann and Charlie McChesney
January 03, 2017

Margaret Caruso says:

There are truly not enough words to say about this fine man! A man one of my sisters and I knew professionally and personally, having worked with Derek for a no. of years in Pittsburgh when he was Geologist for oil-gas drilling co. where we were all employed, and then enjoying he and Betty’s company many times personally! Derek had and will continue to have the respect of many, prof. and personally! He gave me my 2nd pair of snow skiis, skiing now 30+ yrs myself, a couple times with Derek, a man of many talents! He had a great sense of humor and wonderful laugh, was so mild-mannered and just the perfect gentleman, a loving father as he spoke of his children, speaking frequently of his grandson named Ross as my son was also named Ross. Since-after working with Derek, we kept in touch with Derek and Betty and always enjoyed receiving their annual Christmas “letter” with updates about the Tatlock families! Good bye, my dear friend, you will be greatly missed by me and all those you so positively affected over the years! Love, Margaret :)