Obituary of Derek Hitchens

To view the livestream of Derek's funeral service, please click HERE

It is with great sadness that the family of Derek Hitchens announce his passing at the age of 93, Monday, May 13, 2024, after a brief illness.

Predeceased by his parents, Walter and Florence Hitchens, and by his sister Ann Brown (Gerald).

Derek is survived by his loving wife of almost 71 years, Shelagh Hitchens (Henry), his sister Pauline Kent, children Susan Noble (Peter), Sally Gray, Clare Hitchens, John Hitchens (Carlene), Helen Hitchens (Dave), and Alison Hitchens (Brian); grandchildren Amy Gray (Graeme), Bobby Ferguson (Paige), Mary Ferguson, Russell Ferguson, Kathleen Ferguson, Thomas Hitchens, Michael Hitchens, Jamie Hitchens, Chris Fraser (Jennifer), and Brittany Pyatt; and great-grandchildren Mitchell Fraser and Daxton Ferguson.

Derek’s career as a technical photographer started in the Royal Air Force, and in 1965 he and Shelagh emigrated to Canada with their young family, where he took a staff position with the Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, until his retirement in 1993. Derek and Shelagh made many friends through the K-W branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, the K-W Field Naturalists, and the Old Salts Senior’s Canoe Club.  In retirement they travelled the world and made more friends along the way. Derek’s love of the outdoors began as a boy in the Scouts and continued on many family camping trips and hikes. He was a keen birder, and nature photography was his lifelong passion. He was kind, gentle, witty, and wise, and we will miss him very much.

Derek’s family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and staff on the 5th floor of Grand River Hospital for excellent care in his last weeks. Thank you to Waterloo Region Home Care, the Sunnyside Day Program at University Gates, and to the caregivers from Home Instead who supported him during his illness.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday, May 16^th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and on Friday, May 17^th from 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.  The funeral service will follow visitation in the chapel of the funeral home on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.  For those who are unable to attend in person a livestream of the service will be available on Derek’s tribute page, www.erbgood.com. Interment will follow the service at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo.    

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, Birds Canada, or the charity of your choice at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.