In 2008 after his mother passed away; Ralph Hugh Derrick said that he was going to have to have a talk with her for making him travel to Michigan in the dead of winter for the funeral.  On June 26, 2020 he left to have that talk.  You can't hurry these things. Ralph was born to Florence and Peter Derrick on February 17, 1938 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He was the second oldest of fourteen children and the oldest boy.  He saw himself as the man of the family when his father was away and he took that responsibility seriously.  He developed a strong bond protecting his brothers and sisters.  Part of that protection took shape in knowing when it was time to leave home and make room for others so in 1955 he joined the United States Air Force.  He was stationed in multiple countries and traveled the world.  He married LeAnna Olsen in  1958 and in 1960 they welcomed their daughter Victoria into the world.  There are some things that are not meant to last and LeAnna and Ralph parted ways.  Ralph re-enlisted in the Air Force.  He was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado.  A local store that he worked at during his off duty hours hosted a small circus in the parking lot and Ralph asked one of the young ladies if she would like to go see the animals with him.  Miss Gerrie Barmettlor said she did; on August 19, 1967 she again said I do and became Mrs. Ralph Derrick.  The Vietnam War was in full swing and Ralph went to serve.  He spent a year on the ground and flew as a tail gunner on the B-52's for a year and a half.  Ralph had Gerrie meet him in Hawaii while he was on TDY.  The following year of 1970 while stationed in California their daughter Jacqueline was born.  The life of a military man is never still and so in just a few weeks they transferred to South Dakota.  Ralph and Gerrie moved off base and bought a home.  In 1974 they expanded the family again with the birth of their daughter Jennifer.  Ralph's sense of humor was never far away and he would tease that his wife had two daughters, one from the milkman and one from the mailman.  Since they never had a milk man that just made it funnier. After almost twenty one years in the air force Ralph decided it was time to retire.  He retired as a Master Tech Sergeant.   Since he thought Michigan was a good place to be FROM, he and his family moved to Loveland, Colorado.  Ralph went to work for Hach Company.  He raised his girls and twenty years later retired from Hach in 2000.  He had started working at The Olde Course and Mariana Butte Golf Course before he retired.  He said it was to help fund his habit.  Ralph played on a number of golf leagues and he figured an employee discount would be just the ticket to ensure he could always get a game no matter what month.  After his second retirement he went to work full time at the course for the City of Loveland.  He worked there for the next twelve years.  Finally he gave up a full time job and it stuck, but Ralph stayed busy.  Ralph's daughters were all grown up and now had kids of their own.  Ralph attended girl scout award ceremonies, graduations, T-ball practices, school plays, band concerts, volleyball games, baseball games, soccer games, football games, and tennis matches. He enjoyed being  Ba. He was there at any event for his grandkids that he could possibly attend.  He even went to Australia when Jennifer and her family moved there for two years.  He said it was the one place he didn't get to go when in the Air Force and had always wanted to visit.  Of course that sense of humor was still lurking.  He would jest with people that Gerrie had grandkids, he didn't.  He always said it with a grin and a laugh so no one took it seriously.  He would tell stories of his deep sea fishing adventures.  He could tell you about frost bite in Canada while fishing for salmon or cooking crab on the beach after a day on the boat looking for snapper. Ralph loved to golf and work on old cars, as long as they were American.  He read voraciously.  He always had a book by his chair in the living room and next to the bed.  When we follow Ralph he will most likely meet us with a silly outfit and outlandish hat with a grin a mile wide waiting for us to guess what is that on Ba's head. Ralph is survived by his beautiful wife of 52 years, Gerrie, his daughters Jacqueline Derrick Herl (Scott),  and Jennifer Dotson (Alan).  His granddaughters Tina Minton (Randy), Samantha Kirchner, Nicholette Trevarton, and  Angela Trevarton.  His grandsons Nathan Mast (Jenna), Seth Dotson, Noah Dotson, and EJ Dotson.   Sisters Hope Hannah (George -deceased), Mable Byington, Frances Fettes, Susan Denison (Marvin),  and Theresa Larkins (Brad). Brothers Peter Derrick, Jack Derrick (Linda), Rick Derrick (Arnetta), Charles Derrick, Mario Derrick (Liz), and Angelo Derrick (Tanya).   Also great grandchildren, multiple nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, in-laws, and other relatives. He is proceeded in death by his father Peter, his mother Florence, his daughter Victoria, his sisters Faith and Grace, two sister in laws and two brother in laws. A celebration of life will be held Friday, July third, at 10:30 AM.  Interment will be at Fort Logan cemetery at a later date. Those who wish to remember Ralph in a special way may make gifts in his memory to their favorite veteran's charity.