Nicholas Hayes Derrough

Nicholas Derrough, born on September 23, 1937, in Champaign, Illinois, to Ralston and Amelia Derrough and was called home September 13, 2023.
Nick attended Urbana, Illinois, schools until his junior year, when he transferred to Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, graduating in 1955. He enlisted into the United States Armed Forces on October 24th, 1959 and was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri where he served honorably as a Private E-2 until October 12th 1965. He went on to study at the University of Illinois and Kansas University, graduating with a BA in Education in 1966. During his school years, Nick first found his love of spectator sports. He followed University of Illinois and Kansas University teams, and later in life, also rooted for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners.
Nick was politically aware and engaged throughout his life. He supported political campaigns with both time and money and once ran for State Representative. A staunch Democratic supporter, he made no bones about where he stood. In Elmhurst, IL, a largely Republican stronghold, he had no qualms about festooning the neighborhood with campaign signs for Democratic candidates.
Nick's work reflected an abiding love of people-meeting them, hearing their stories, connecting them to one another, and helping where he could. He leveraged this affinity in one of his very first jobs-teaching social studies in Topeka, Kansas. From there, he launched a long career in human resources, striving for equity, diversity, and inclusion wherever his work led him.
As an HR specialist, with ever-expanding expertise, he worked for the Milwaukee Railroad, FMC, U.S. Department of Labor, and, finally, Aeroject, where he maintained a full-time schedule until this last May. Always fueled by his work, Nick didn't shy from tackling new HR issues that emerged as workplace culture, and the culture at large, evolved.
If Nick is remembered for one thing, it may be his reputation as a passionate foodie, with wildly eclectic tastes. Every city he traveled to was a source of new restaurant-adventures with family and friends. Along with his wife, Rochelle, he was also a consummate cook and generous host, serving such mouth-watering dishes as BBQ ribs, Korean bulgogi, and cedar-plank salmon.
Nick is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Rochelle Derrough (Nickerson), with whom he was happily married for 30 years, his children Katherine Derrough Schroeder (Steve), Tasha Roscoe Fisher, Tiffany Fisher Monta (Nolan), and Nicholas Asher Derrough, his grandchildren Kathryn Schroeder, Anthony Webster, Jasmine Webster, Brea Webster, Claire Schroeder, Collin Schroeder, Savannah Webster, Amaya Hafemeister, Jayden Murphy, Sasha Webster, John Murphy, and his honorary son, Brett Hafemeister. Also surviving are sister Nancy Cox (Stephen), niece Mary Williams (Gustavo Coronel) and nephew Thomas Williams.

A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, Centerville, 820 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Dayton, OH 45459. A memorial service will take place at 1:00PM after the visitation. Interment at Miami Valley Memory Gardens.

Nick's Funeral will be live streamed. To view the stream Click Here.