Richard L. Derby, 76, of Maynard and The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024 as a result of injuries from a recent fall.

Rich was born in Concord on March 12, 1948, eldest son of the late Richard and Flavia (DeMars) Derby. The family moved to Maynard when he was a small boy, where Rich later built a beautiful life with his high school sweetheart and wife, Karen.

Rich graduated from Maynard High School in 1967 and worked in sales. He served on the Planning Board for the Town of Maynard for one term. Rich was also an integral part of the team of volunteers who worked to acquire funding for the building of what is now the Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley, where he then served on the Board of Directors for twelve years. In his free time, Rich found great enjoyment in the game of golf, and was a member of Maynard Country Club for a number of years.

Family was the most important thing to Rich throughout his years, and he loved being a Grampy. He could always be found on the sidelines of his grandkids' sports or in the audience at every performance. In recent years, Rich forged a connection with the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of his paternal grandmother. He enjoyed many years of traveling to the tribal homeland on Martha's Vineyard, where locals came to recognize his camper van, affectionately named WETU. Rich deeply valued this new family connection and would tell anyone that Aquinnah was his happy place.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Karen J. Derby of Maynard; son, Ryan M. Derby; a daughter, Kerry K. Wood and her husband Jason of Dover, NH; brother, Philip Derby of Blairsville, GA; two sisters, Linda Dalton of Jacksonville, FL and Loretta Laskey of Pooler, GA; his grandchildren, Josephine Wood, Nathaniel Wood, and Piper Derby, as well as several nephews and nieces.

He is predeceased by three brothers, James Derby, Jeffrey Derby and Brian Derby, two sisters, Anita Sedillo and Roberta Franklin, and his nephew, Jeffrey Derby.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA, on Sunday, September 15 from 4 to 6 pm. A brief service will be held on Monday, September 16 at 11 am in the Dee Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Aquinnah Cultural Center , 10 Black Brook Road, Aquinnah, MA 02535. Checks may be payable to: Aquinnah Cultural Center.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.