9 / 44
Chronicle
2015-2016
7
in the field of health legislation. Derek was
also the Health Department’s representative at
WHO regional committee meetings. He became
a member of the WHO Executive Board from
1973 to 1975 and was chairman in 1974. Derek
described this as a highlight of his career.
Derek and Margot lived in Geneva for three years
until he retired from WHO in 1978. They returned
to Palmerston North where he worked in post-
retirement as Acting Medical Officer of Health for
the Palmerston North Health District. He finally
retired again in 1985.
Derek and Margot moved to Adelaide in South
Australia to be near their three daughters, who all
live in Australia. He died on 28 September 2014
in Adelaide. Derek is survived by his wife, Margot,
his daughters, Gillian, Barbara and Carolyn, nine
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.