Meaning of(Dads)life.
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It's at moments like these when life's inevitable events are thrust upon us, we pause to reflect and try to answer the questions: 
How can we have peace?
What is the meaning of life?

We can have peace by resting in God's promise to those that believe, that "...to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" 2Cor5.

But to find life's meaning is far more experiential and personal,so we need to start at the beginning.

Dad attended the Church of England as an alter boy and member of the church choir growing up. His testimony was that he trusted God during that time.
Later in life, while recognized as a creative electronic engineer and inventor, Dad always took note and paused to marvel how Masterfully everything in the world was organized and made. Family evenings growing up watching the TV show "Nova" gave way to conversations on how complex the brain and the human eye were made and the tremendous technical challenges needed to made even the crudest copy.
He found it too difficult to image this type of perfection "just happening". Plus with the earth being the perfect size and the perfect distance in a perfect orbit from a perfect sized sun left only one explanation - intelligent design by an intelligent Creator.

Dad often gave examples of how God was watching over him and our family and I believe it not only because he was blessed with 92 years but I witnessed it in my own life.

Being steadfast in his beliefs also made him a stubborn Yorkshireman at times, but he was usually rapidly disarmed by "pulling his leg" in those moments.

Dad also had a humble spirit, describing himself as just average in school, but felt he was given the opportunities to apply himself and his abilities because of the personal and professional relationships woven into his life.
He never thought the events and the people brought into his life were by accident, but credited them for what he accomplished in life.
As was typical of his generation with still some roots in the Queen Victorian England - Dad was not big on expressing a lot of emotion, but you could see it in his face, his eyes and by his actions. We all knew our place in the family, with mutual respect, love for each other and when called upon, sacrifices that needed to be made. In that way he did not try to be my pal, best friend or buddy he was just there for us as Dad.

In his final years he never lost his British wit and sense of humor and I remember watching reruns on Monty Python together. 
Dad remained stoic with an ever present attitude to always "press on" even when things seemed difficult.

So how did I see my Dad answering the timeless question- 
What is the meaning of life?
It would be embodied in the word "relationships" - the foundation from which springs love for each other and a glimpse into how God created us to be, but just as important- how it creates time together that becomes truly cherished in our minds, hearts and spirit.

My Dad was placed in his final resting place with these words on his memorial

...think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England."

Derek was not only a very good friend but an amazingly creative engineer who would take problems to their fundamentals and come up with unique solutions. He was a world class expert on controlling current and applied his expertise in many directions. He devised ways of controlling the current that bent the electron beam on the giant FAA screens to display the progress of aircraft. He worked on controlling the current on CAT scans that determined the amount of Xray exposure. His same expertise controlled the current on transcontinental  cables across oceans to power the repeater amplifiers that needed constant current between each country. He went on to control current to microwave ovens that set the level of heat in massive industrial cookers. He latterly  worked on patterns for controlling currents on electric automobiles.
  Derek was a truly creative engineer engaged in the world. I shall miss him and his positive attitude to life. Trevor.

Derek was such a brillant and interesting person, it was fascinating just to hear him talk and tell stories . He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather and will be missed deeply. He lived a long beautiful life and his light will shine down on those he loved always. Godbless you Derek and blessings and comfort to your dear family.

My grandad was always such a kind, gentle soul. His wisdom and knowledge was an inspiration to my sister and I growing up. His musical talent always kept me dancing as a child and it was so fun to see him play the piano. He made great contributions to this world and his memory will live on in our family

My Dad was great and mixing life principles and typical Yorkshire man practicality. To paraphrase my Dad, he believed that whatever talents were given, we were given to be productive members of society and in the process help others less fortunate.
It was  just preferable to be able to support oneself at the same time !

DEREK CHAMBERS  FRIEND COLLEAGUE AND MENTOR

Our meeting 58 years ago at Raytheon started an enduring lifelong friendship of our developing families.  It was an exiting time for us as an ex pat group quickly formed to share experiences, help each other and have parties.

Through out all these years our interests have meshed as we have kept track of each other, our families, our houses,  our trips and finally our retirements. 

Your struggle in the last few years has been epic but each time I visited, you would brighten up and we would enjoy a few minutes of chat. Janet and I loved the day you sat at your lovely Grand Pianolost in a different world creating magical chords.

I dearly grieve that you have passed over.  I will miss you but some day I pray that we meet again on the other side

Goodbye Dear Friend 


Charles Caswell

It was an honor to care for him. It is a shame that in later stages of life we don't  always get to know who the person really was or their true essence. It is obvious he contributed to our world in may ways and will live on in our hearts.I know that our caregivers enjoyed working with him and your family.
Michael Jones - Comfort Keepers

Carpe Diem defined my Dads life. As a young man he never said no to seizing opportunity when it presented itself, be it on a Triumph speed-twin motorcycle touring the Yorkshire moors with my Mom on the back or learning to fly in an open cockpit 1930's de Havalin Tiger Moth biplane.

Derek was a sweetheart. We will all dearly miss him.

Derek was a loving, brilliant man and a consummate gentleman!  I adored him and relished his sense of humor. My daughter, Lisa, who is married to Howard enriched her life with Iris and Derek. I picture him on Heavens highways driving his sports cars and making continued inventions for the betterment of mankind.

OBITUARY

Derek Chambers

18 May, 1925 – 29 September, 2017

Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park

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