Obituary for Peter H Derr
It is with broken hearts we note the passing of Peter Haines Derr, on February 7th, 2022, at the age of 62, at his home in East Windsor, NJ. Peter was born on February 2nd, 1960, adopted by his parents Ralph Derr, Jr and Mary Haines Derr living in Downingtown, PA. He remained living in Downingtown, PA until he joined the Navy in 1979.
It was in the Navy when Pete discovered his interest and talent in Electrical Engineering. Pete served in the Navy for six years as an Electronics Technician first class, (1979-1985). He was awarded the Good Conduct Award (first Award), Navy Achievement medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. After leaving the Navy Pete started his electrical engineering career at Radiation Dynamics, Inc. located in Melville, NY as a Lab Technician, (1985-1986).
In 1986 Pete went on to work for ITT Corporation located in Clifton, NJ, as a Logistics Engineer, (1986-1993). While working for ITT Corporation Pete expanded his skills by enrolling in Bergen Community College and continuing on to NJ Institute of Technology where he was ultimately awarded BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering. Pete continued down his engineering path working for Passaic Valley Sewage Commissioners located in Newark, NJ as Staff Engineer, (1994-2001).
In 2001 Pete followed his dreams and went to work for a start-up company, Diopsys, Inc. currently located in Pine Brook, NJ, (2001-2022). Although, Pete wore many hats at Diopsys, Inc., his current position was VP of Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Affairs, Senior Engineer. While working for Diopsys, Inc. he produced over 20 technical publications and together with various co-workers was awarded several patents. When meeting Pete for the first time he appeared to be quiet and would keep to himself. Although Pete was respectful of others on a professional level once he got know you he was no longer the quiet silent type. Pete had a personality about him and apparently it was at Diopsys, Inc. where he established his stage name as Petie Pie known for his humorous side and his outlandish antics.
Pete enjoyed engineering and had the need to stay busy so to keep his skills sharp he began his own company Derr Engineering LLC, in 2004. He also held Professional Engineer licenses in both NJ and NY.
Pete met his loving wife Francine Hayek while working at ITT Corporation. They married in 1991 and lived in Paterson NJ until 1996 when they moved to their current home in East Windsor NJ. While happy to be fully absorbed in his engineering work once Pete moved to East Windsor he began to encounter new friends, developed new interests and allowed himself time to relax. He loved the wild outdoors, time in his pool, cooking and entertaining for family and friends. He enjoyed going to theater shows and concerts as well as bicycling and traveling with his wife.
He will be sorely missed by his wife Francine (Hayek) Derr of East Windsor, his brother Garrett Derr of PA, step sister-in-law Lynn DiFerdinando, of PA, step sister Kathleen Kane of VA, sister-in-law Bernadette Brooks and brother-in-law Walter Brooks of CA, and his nieces, nephews and their families. Peter is predeceased by his father Ralph Derr, Jr, mother Mary Haines Derr, step mother Angela (Bruno) (DiFerdinando) Derr, step brother Joseph DiFerdinando and brother-in-law Emil Hayek.
The family is having a small private service and suggests that in lieu of sending flowers that people donate to organizations doing research on lung or other cancers.
The family will not be having a memorial at this time.
It was in the Navy when Pete discovered his interest and talent in Electrical Engineering. Pete served in the Navy for six years as an Electronics Technician first class, (1979-1985). He was awarded the Good Conduct Award (first Award), Navy Achievement medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. After leaving the Navy Pete started his electrical engineering career at Radiation Dynamics, Inc. located in Melville, NY as a Lab Technician, (1985-1986).
In 1986 Pete went on to work for ITT Corporation located in Clifton, NJ, as a Logistics Engineer, (1986-1993). While working for ITT Corporation Pete expanded his skills by enrolling in Bergen Community College and continuing on to NJ Institute of Technology where he was ultimately awarded BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering. Pete continued down his engineering path working for Passaic Valley Sewage Commissioners located in Newark, NJ as Staff Engineer, (1994-2001).
In 2001 Pete followed his dreams and went to work for a start-up company, Diopsys, Inc. currently located in Pine Brook, NJ, (2001-2022). Although, Pete wore many hats at Diopsys, Inc., his current position was VP of Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Affairs, Senior Engineer. While working for Diopsys, Inc. he produced over 20 technical publications and together with various co-workers was awarded several patents. When meeting Pete for the first time he appeared to be quiet and would keep to himself. Although Pete was respectful of others on a professional level once he got know you he was no longer the quiet silent type. Pete had a personality about him and apparently it was at Diopsys, Inc. where he established his stage name as Petie Pie known for his humorous side and his outlandish antics.
Pete enjoyed engineering and had the need to stay busy so to keep his skills sharp he began his own company Derr Engineering LLC, in 2004. He also held Professional Engineer licenses in both NJ and NY.
Pete met his loving wife Francine Hayek while working at ITT Corporation. They married in 1991 and lived in Paterson NJ until 1996 when they moved to their current home in East Windsor NJ. While happy to be fully absorbed in his engineering work once Pete moved to East Windsor he began to encounter new friends, developed new interests and allowed himself time to relax. He loved the wild outdoors, time in his pool, cooking and entertaining for family and friends. He enjoyed going to theater shows and concerts as well as bicycling and traveling with his wife.
He will be sorely missed by his wife Francine (Hayek) Derr of East Windsor, his brother Garrett Derr of PA, step sister-in-law Lynn DiFerdinando, of PA, step sister Kathleen Kane of VA, sister-in-law Bernadette Brooks and brother-in-law Walter Brooks of CA, and his nieces, nephews and their families. Peter is predeceased by his father Ralph Derr, Jr, mother Mary Haines Derr, step mother Angela (Bruno) (DiFerdinando) Derr, step brother Joseph DiFerdinando and brother-in-law Emil Hayek.
The family is having a small private service and suggests that in lieu of sending flowers that people donate to organizations doing research on lung or other cancers.
The family will not be having a memorial at this time.