I met Derek Torres about three years ago when he was a speaker at an STC regional conference that I helped organise in London. Since then I had the pleasure of meeting him at a number of technical writing events in Europe and the USA. As well as being a technical writer Derek was a published author or co-author of a number of technical books including The Unofficial Guide to Windows XP, and The Unofficial Guide to Windows Vista, both published by Wiley.
Two years ago when I was one of the founders of the STC’s Europe SIG, Derek was one of our first supporters and he volunteered to be the editor for our SIG’s first newsletter. We were speakers together at a progression session at the STC conference in Philadelphia in 2008. I found him always a warm and friendly colleague, highly professional and very knowledgable, as well as generous with his time and advice.
Earlier this week I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn that Derek had died as a result of H1N1 influenza. In offering my condolences to his wife and family, I hope and pray that they have many good memories of Derek to strengthen and comfort them at this difficult time. Derek was highly respected amongst his professional peers and everyone who knew him will miss him deeply.
Dear Mr. Farbey,
Thank you so much for the article on Derek. It is so nice to see that he touched so many lives. We will all miss him greatly; especially me since he used to call me everyday at work at lunchtime and almost always twice a day on Saturday & Sundays. I used to grumble about his calling at the most inoportune times, but now I just wish that he could call.
David, I am deeply indebted to you for writing this. I am absolutely shocked and share in expressing the deepest of sympathies to Derek’s family and friends and colleagues. I also met Derek at the STC conferences, and he was the most supportive and congenial person I’ve met in decades. I am just shattered by this news. I share in your loss. Kindest regards, Nancy
David, Thank you for writing this. You and I met Derek at the same time. Up until the conference, I’d been in contact with him as a potential speaker and was delighted to meet him finally. It wasn’t that long ago, yet I feel as though I’d known him longer. Maybe that’s the effect of seeing him daily on facebook. I was happy he moved to Paris and came to speak again at our last conference here in Paris, still a bit exhausted from the first few nights home with daughter. It was always a pleasure to see him and I was already looking forward to seeing him at next year’s conference. As Nancy says, he was a most supportive and congenial person. Again, thanks for writing this, Ellen
I had the pleasure of working for several years with Derek. His witticisms always had me in stitches. I will miss him very much. He will be looking after his family from the cosmos above and his memory will stay with me forever. Thank you for your kind tribute. Tammy
I am truly shocked and sad to find out about Derek from his facebook page. I worked with Derek for a startup company when he lived in Chicago and he came out to Colorado to work with me on a project for a couple days. Derek was funny and smart and amazingly easy to talk to. We’ve kept in touch since he moved back to France — that’s the sort of friendly guy he was. I am so sad. All my best wishes to his family.