Julian Leonard “Len” Derby passed away from natural causes Aug. 28, 2017, at The Springs of Whitefish. He was 89.
He was born April 9, 1928, to Leonard L. and Inez M. (Ryan) Derby in Missoula, their only child. He attended Missoula schools, displaying an early aptitude for military science. He joined and loved Scouting and attended Scout camp at Camp Paxson on Seeley Lake where he later worked as a lifeguard. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in high school and following graduation enrolled in the University of Montana School of Journalism through ROTC. Prior to his graduation, Len took a weekend skiing trip where he met his future wife Corky (Mary Diane Calbick) on Big Mountain. They kept in contact for the next several months.
Upon his college graduation in 1951, he was commissioned to Fort Lewis, Washington.
Len was called to active duty in September 1951 to Fort Benning, Georgia, to attend infantry school and was assigned to Fort Ord, California, as cadre in an infantry battalion. During a one-month leave, before being deployed overseas, he returned to Montana and promptly called on Corky. They dated that month and faithfully communicated while Len was stationed in Germany.
In Germany, Len was assigned to the 43rd Infantry Division with duty stations at Nuremberg, Munich, Berchtesgaden and Bad Tolz, Bavaria. Upon his return to the states, he proposed to Corky. They celebrated 61 years of marriage before Corky died in 2014.
Len successfully balanced his home life with his military and civilian career over the next several decades. He began his journalism career in Terry, Montana, working at the Tribune before landing a job with Mel Ruder at the Hungry Horse News. He joined the staff at the Daily Inter Lake in 1954 and spent 14 years working with offset print. During this same time, he was active in the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves. He and Corky also started a family.
In 1968, he was asked to join the staff at Flathead Valley Community College as the journalism instructor and as the Director of Public Relations, a career he had for the next 12 years. During this same time he organized and taught at the first USAR School in the Flathead Valley and he taught two cycles of the Branch Officer Advanced Course to Army Reservists and members of the National Guard. In 1974, he began the first Command and General Staff College courses and taught in Kalispell for several years. He also taught the summer phases of Command and General Staff College at the University of Nevada Reno. In addition, he served as a liaison officer for West Point Military Academy.
Len was also an award-winning photographer. Many of his photos reside in the archives of the Daily Inter Lake, Hungry Horse News, FVCC, University of Montana and the U.S. military. He retired from the military after 29 years of service and rank of lieutenant colonel. He retired the same year from FVCC.
Retirement didn’t suit him and before long he was testing for his real estate license. He sold real estate for the next several years, retiring for a second time in 2000.
He and Corky raised four children. He enjoyed singing and taught his kids to sing in three-part harmony. No car trip, long or short, occurred without the family breaking into song. Even in old age, Len was a singer, joining any singing occasion in his clear, tenor voice.
Len is survived by his four children and 10 grandchildren.
He will be dearly missed by his children, Lynn Derby, Laurie (Brent) Smith, Dean (Kathy) Derby and Julie Hunter.
He loved being a grandfather and will be missed but remembered fondly by his grandchildren, Bailey and Logan Derby, Lauren, Bianca, Jackson and Sophie Hunter, Austin Peppenger; Garrett (Elisa) Smith, Natalie Smith, and Kristen (Patrick) Dutton.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and a favorite aunt, Sally (Ryan) Sanford.
Len’s family would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Jonathon Torgerson, Dr. David Habel, the staff at The Springs of Whitefish, Home Options Hospice and the many friends who ministered to him and his family over the last few years.
Funeral services for Len will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, 540 Main Street, where Len was a member and deacon, serving alongside Corky. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, with lunch following. Private interment, with full military honors, will be held at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the First Presbyterian Church.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for Len’s family. Please visit and sign Len’s online memorial at www.buffalohillfh.com.