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
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