Derek Norman Travers Walton
1945 - 2009
Derek died suddenly and unexpectedly on the 29th December while running in Seal Bay woods with his dogs. He died from a genetic condition, Arteriosclerosis, that results in hardening of the arteries. he was 64. His dogs stayed with him until he was found.
Derek was a loving husband to Val, father of Robert and Keith, and grandfather to Jordan, Anna and Edward. The love and support he provided will be remembered and honoured by all who knew him.
Derek was born in Watford, England on the 31st May 1945 to George Cummings and Rachel Mignon Travers Walton (formerly Wolfe). He went to university in Dublin where he was a competitive rower. He married Valerie Patricia Watters on 26th July 1968. Derek loved to run, particularly marathons. His best time was 2 hours 34 minutes in the London marathon. He worked for the John Lewis Partnership in England as a central buyer until he moved with his family to Calgary in 1991. While in Calgary he established and ran a fabric wholesale company with his wife for twelve years. He then retired to the Crowsnest Pass to enjoy the local fly fishing for a few years before he moved to the Comox Valley to enjoy the climate. He loved living in The Valley and enjoyed working on the property, walking with Val and the dogs, and playing with his grandchildren.
Derek was cremated on January 5th. A gathering to remember him will be held at the family home on January 23rd starting at 3pm. Instead of flowers please give donations to support Doctors Without Borders (212-763-5779, www.doctorswithoutborders.org).