He helped me out a lot he will be missed dearly 

Like many I am shocked and grieved at losing Derek so unexpectedly. It is surreal that I had lunch with him just over a week prior and now he's gone.  Like others have shared, Derek endeared me to himself from the first time I met him. He was earnest and engaging, and he had an innocence and joy about him. Over a period of several years we'd get together regularly, usually over lunch at Panera, and talk about things like how God could be real to us in our day-to-day work. We experienced some wonderful and real answers to prayers that came out of those times. You know some people you just know you're supposed to be connected to, and Derek was one of those for me.
I will miss his relaxed smile, his seriousness, his quirky humor, his sincere devotion, and his openness and vulnerability. I continue praying for his family and friends as we work through this grief process. God is a good Father who is with us always.

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of such a wonderful young man,  It was just a short time ago that Derek was at our shop and actually wrote Todd and I each letters of appreciation for our services.   I really do not know any other person his age that would take the time to do such a thing.    I also  have many fond  memories of Derek  such as him coming into our shop with guitar in hand and playing  for us,  and many other memories of Derek just praying for us and our families.   I have no doubt that this beautiful soul is with God now.  I hate to be selfish but I just wish that we could have kept you longer.   You are  truly are what the world needs right now more than ever.   I know you are home.   Many heartfelt wishes for your family Derek ,  We love you Sue , 
 we are so very sorry for your loss!
Sincerely, 

Todd and Paula

We knew Derek through revive outreaches and always appreciated his fervency in following the Lord. He was so sincere and kind. He will be missed! 
-the Melvins

Derek was such a light with his calm presence and big smile.  Such a blessing to see God working in him to serve.  My prayers and heart are with Susan and the entire family.  Truly a gift to know for sure that heaven is his home and ours one day.

I first met Derek on March 6th at Trubble Brewing in Fort Wayne.  Derek's dad Jack and I play in a musical trio together and when our trio took a break, Jack and Derek played an original song together.  Derek was a very nice young man and an awesome guitar player just like his dad.  I wish I had gotten to know him better.  My deepest condolences and prayers to Jack, Kay, Susan, and the rest of his family and many friends.  R.I..P. Derek.  

I met Derek at Chick fil A while working with him for just a short time.  Enjoyed working with him.  May he Rest in peace.

I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed having Derek in class many years ago. I have fond memories of him at New Haven Middle School. Prayers to all of you at this time. 

I have had the privilege of knowing Derek for a few years as one of his Pastors at Grace Gathering. I have done some mentoring with him from time to time over the years.
I have met very few people with the level of commitment to following Jesus that Derek had. He was all-in. He had made the decision to do whatever it takes to imitate the lifestyle of Christ as much as he could. After doing a discipleship year with us at church, he moved with some friends into a community house in one of the poorest areas of the city to reach out to and support people (especially vulnerable young people) living there. 
I remember recently he told me of a homeless man he met who needed his friendship and support, so he stayed out all night with him. Although the loss of Derek is a great tragedy to all of us, and especially to his family and close friends, I know that he will be welcomed into Heaven as a hero of the faith.

Derek was the king of bad pun jokes. He had a Spongebob Squarepants quote for nearly every situation in life and was always willing to listen if you needed to talk. He will be so missed by my family and im sure that he will be missed by every person who had the privilege of knowing him.

We were blessed to have Derek in our home several times since he was friends with our son Christopher Moak. I would come home to find Derek on the couch with one of my large bowls filled with cereal. He was always so sweet and polite and we loved his visits. I’m so sorry for your loss but know Derek was always the sweetest and most respectful young man. God Bless You

Derek was a classmate of mine (2010 grad).  We weren't close friends, but he was always a top quality person, and a good friend. I remember walking home from school, and he'd always offer to give me a ride home.  That seemed to be the way he was, just a really solid guy. I lost touch with him after high school, but his genuinely kind personality is the only thing that popped into my mind when I heard he passed. I send my prayers to the family.

My deepest condolences to the family of Derek Desjardins.   I had the pleasure of teaching Derek in both Precalculus and AP Calculus.  As a matter of fact, Derek scored a 5 on the AP test, which my deal with the students was, if you get a 5 I buy you a steak dinner at Outback.   I even located the picture from Outback, in 2010.   Here he is along with Ryan Blauvelt.  But I wanted to share a more recent encounter I had with Derek that really touched me.  
I frequently ride my bike from New Haven to downtown Fort Wayne, have lunch and return.  Last summer, I was in the Subway restaurant in downtown Fort Wayne.   Derek walked in and asked if he could join me;  Derek was going to meet his father for lunch there in a few minutes.   He related to me that I was his favorite teacher and how I had impacted his life.   Every now and then, students tell me this, but this was coming from a 27 year old and it really struck me.  I related to him that I retired from NHHS in 2014 and have been teaching at both Indiana Tech and PFW since.  Derek shared that he did indeed get an engineering degree, from Indiana Tech if I recall, and worked in that field for a while.  He presently was working at a Chick Fil-A, and I thought he was aspiring to be a minister.   Then he did something that really touched me, he asked if I would mind if he said a prayer for me.  Of course I said.  He then offered the most sincere, heartwarming, and touching prayer.  That moment will stick with me forever.   I may have touched Derek’s life, but he touched mine.  The world needs more people like Derek.  Quiet, kind, compassionate, empathetic.  And yes, he also understands Calculus :)
I am confident he left his mark on many other people in the short time he was with us.  May he rest in peace.  And God’s blessings, comfort, and solace to his entire family.   Peace be with you.
Steve Romary


To Derek’s family and friends,
I will always remember Derek’s kindness, caring, and goodness, and dedication to his church. He was so happy to be able to serve those in need and share his faith with them in his missionary work. Love, Aunt Beverly

We have fond memories of our nephew growing into a wonderful young man and loving member of the family.  Such a loss, but we will always remember the closeness of him to his large family.  We loved having him visit Maine with Jack and Brandy.  We will miss you so much, Derek.  Love from Uncle Jay and Aunt Nancy.

It’s been years since I last saw Derek. I still can not believe that he is no longer here with us words can not explain how I am feeling at this moment nor do I know how his family is feeling, But I just hope & pray to God that they stay strong.  Derek was a wonderful person full of light and joy. He was very goofy always making jokes and being funny. I remember on Halloween he dressed up as cereal because that’s what he loved to eat.. he was an amazing friend, brother, son you well truly be missed. you  are now in heaven taking care of us down here.. we miss you and love you Derek Always and forever.

Jack and family I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and family

Derek was (and still is--now with Jesus) a wonderful young man and a real joy to all who knew Him.  His love for the Lord was contagious, passionate and encouraging to anyone in his presence.  Derek was a valued member of the Campus Ministry community, formerly as a student and most recently as volunteer staff at Indiana Tech.  The picture below was taken in 2013 on one of Derek's two trips to Bulgaria as a member of a Campus Ministry mission team.  He preached a sermon in a small Roma church in Bulgaria and did a fantastic job.  We are praying for his family and friends.

Ben and Janet Gates
Director, Greater Fort Wayne Campus Ministry, 1997-2020

Derek will always be one of my greatest inspirations. I will forever work to match his dedication to faith, selflessness, and ability to focus on the best in any situation. He somehow can brighten up a room full of indiana family (who just traveled 16 hours) and Connecticut family (who are nightshift tired or overwhelmed with school, work, and life) and make everyone happy with only his personality. I have never had a memory with Derek where I wasn't smiling; he will always inspire me to try to be that person for everyone else.

As we think of Derek we see the way he worshipped Jesus. He was uninhibited in his enthusiasm and devoid of others around him, it was so personal! We know he leaves a hole in many hearts but he now is with his Jesus that he so loved! 

Janet, Susan, Claire and all you family. Take care of each other. I am so, so sorry. May God help you find peace.

To Derek’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. I only knew Derek in Middle School. We hung out in the same circles (Scott, Sam, Ryan, Ross, Kiara, Damon, Randall, Derek, etc...). My 7th grade year was one of the hardest of my life because my father died from cancer and Derek... he checked on me so many times just to see if I was ok. He and others may not have known it, but they saved my life. As I write this I cry because he was such a kind person. And that kindness of his, it was infectious. He will be truly missed and never forgotten. 
Raymond Ledo-Blunt   

Derek loves Jesus fiercely. I had the privilege of doing prayer walks and ministry with him. He was such a friendly and caring guy who always took the time to listen and be fascinated with what you had to share. So sad and confused as to why he is no longer with us, but we have “great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.   This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:18-19.   This is where Derek sits and what a glorious day when we all will meet again. 

Susan and family, I am SO very sorry to hear this.  Derek was such a fine young man who clearly loved the Lord.  Praying for you.

To Sue and Donn, Daniel, Brandy, Clare, and Jack,  and all his family and  friends. We are so sorry for your loss. 
 Derek was our great nephew. He was a brilliant young man, kind,  and caring. He was dedicated to his religion and went on many missionary trips to help those less fortunate.  When he visited us, he was such a good listener and story teller about his experiences. He will be missed and held in our hearts and memories with love. Bob and Shirley Dufresne

A dedicated Christ follower and inspiration to his oldest sister.  Thank you for being an outstanding individual and staying on the path that really mattered. 

Derek was one of the top students in our 2014 mechanical engineering batch. We were always sitting beside each other in classes and he was such a good role model for dedication and hard work. It was an honor to have presented at the same time during his final bachelor thesis presentation. His "light up skate board" final project is probably one of the coolest projects of Indiana Tech's history. 

It saddens me to hear that the world has lost a smart and kind soul. My deepest condolences to the family. RIP my friend.

Sincerely,
Sriram Jazz
Indiana Tech 2010-2014 ME batch

OBITUARY

Derek N. Desjardins

4 October, 1991 – 9 June, 2020

Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home

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