Tony Weir
Shocked and sad to hear about Derek. He was reassuring and considerate when discussing finance matters and a lot of fun to gossip with after inaugural lectures. He will be misssed by me and all. …
- February 9, 2021
- 1:29 pm
In Memory of
Derek H Davis
Mrs Lynne Brown & Family,
On behalf of all my colleagues in the School of MACS, I am sending our deepest sympathy on the death of your brother Derek.
Derek worked in the finance office of the School since June 2017. His office opens on the main corridor of the School, in normal times every colleague would pass at least once or twice every day. Derek had always a smile and word of recognition for everybody. His friendly and open personality was appreciated by all, and his laugh and positive attitude truly helped in resolving all sorts of problems. He thrived on human contact and was at his best when he could help and then see the relief his help brought on people’s faces.
Derek was utterly professional, well organised and resourceful, so it was a relief for the School management to leave matters in his capable hands. At a human level, he was always ready to help all staff, going above and beyond his professional duties. Our PhD students in particular relied on him as a steadfast support whenever something upset their plans, or themselves. He always found time to talk and encourage them.
We will miss him very greatly, and hope that our memories of him, collected here, can be of comfort to you.
Professor Beatrice Pelloni
Head of School
Book Owner: June Maxwell
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Linda Jazayeri
So sorry to hear this sad news. I worked in the office next door to Derek for over two years and we had so many laughs. I am sure your family will have many good memories as Derek was a lovely man. …
- February 9, 2021
- 10:46 am
Stefano
Truly sorry to hear the loss of Derek. He was always willing to stop for us during his busy workdays at least just for a few minutes, to have a wee chat and some banter, always helpful, always kind, always cheering everyone up with a friendly smile. We will miss him – to the family, my most sincere condolences. …
- February 8, 2021
- 9:54 pm
Lesley
I was so shocked to learn today of Derek’s passing. Although we only worked together for a brief time, he was always one to bring laughter to the office. I will miss him forever coming to check if his parcels had yet arrived. Sending warmest condolences to all the family & his closest friends – Lesley …
- February 5, 2021
- 9:26 am
Manuel
Derek had such a wonderful sense of humour. What a pleasure to meet in the corridor early in the morning. I will always remember the cheerful and joyful virtual (departmental CSI) meeting we had just the week before his passing away. My sympathies to Derek’s family. …
- February 5, 2021
- 12:00 am
Hannah Hendry
I’m still so shocked and saddened to hear the news about Derek – I have worked with him off and on through the last 10 years at Heriot-Watt, but more closely recently when he joined my direct team. His sense of humour was right up my street, and on many meetings had me in tears of laughter with his stories and comments. He will be sorely missed, and my deepest condolances are with his family. xx …
- February 4, 2021
- 3:09 pm
Johnny Inch
Derek was one of a kind; So very friendly, funny and above all outgoing. He helped me more times than I can count and always with a smile. He will be very much missed. Johnny …
- February 4, 2021
- 11:37 am
Scott Wilson
We were very saddened to the hear of the passing of our cousin Derek. He was a very kind and friendly guy. Always had nice things to say about people and loved a laugh. He will be sadly missed. Deepest condolences to all the family. Scott, Emma, Ellie and Taylor x …
- February 3, 2021
- 7:26 pm
Loraine Cameron
I was so saddened to hear about Derek, it was a complete shock. Derek had an amazing personality and although I’ve only worked with him over the past year he still managed to make a real impression on me. He had a wicked sense of humour which made the last year more bearable, he’ll be sorely missed. …
- February 3, 2021
- 11:04 am
Lorna Brown
Dear Derek, I was devastated to hear of your sudden death and cannot believe that when I come back to work you will not be at the end of a Teams call or in the office upstairs for me to pop in and visit. I started at HWU in early 2018 and you very quickly became a close work friend and someone I always looked forward to dropping in on – initially to sort out a work related thing but this would always be followed by a very long gossip and a good laugh. You were always happy to bend over backwards to help me and I will never forget how much you brightened up my day whenever I’d come in for a visit. Since we went into lockdown in March I think we spoke for at least an hour every week on Teams to have a shared moan and a laugh and it was for many weeks the highlight of my week as we both struggled through the endless months of home working. A final call with you on my last day before my maternity leave was top of my priority list that day and although I’m so …
- February 1, 2021
- 7:50 pm