We deeply regret to announce the death of Commander Richard B. Derickson (retired) on December 31, 1942, at his home in Seattle, Washington. Although Commander Derickson was not know personally to many in the office, the old-timers will remember that he was Assistant Chief of the Division of Coastal Surveys (then H & T) from 1915-1920, although most of his service has been on the West Coast.

Commander Derickson was born in 1873 at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and attende d schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee, graduating from Allegheny College in 1894 with the degree of Civil Engineer. He entered the Coast Survey in 1896 where his assignment covered technical and scientific engineering on both Coasts, as well as in Puerto Rico and Alaska. He was Assistant Chief of H. & T. from 1915-1920, Inspector of the Seattle Field Station from
1921-1926 and Director of Coast Surveys in the Philippines from 1926-1928.

One of his notable accomplishments was the survey of a steamer track across the formerly uncharted waters of the Sulu Sea in the south Pacific Ocean, an assignment which required 2 years of hazardous hydrographic and oceanographic investigations between 1913 and 1915 and which provided a short route never before available.

At his own request Commander Derickson retired from duty after 30 years service in 1929, and remained on inactive status until February 1, 1934, when he was returned to active duty during the National Industrial Recovery period. At the close of this duty he returned to inactive status on November 1, 1935.

Commander Derickson was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Rainier Club of Seattle, Washington. He is survived by his widow and two sons, Richard B., Jr., who is a Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N., and B. Derickson, also in the Navy.

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The Buzzard, Vol X, 1/7/1943