The Derr Flooring Company has announced the passing of Chet Derr Jr., president and CEO of the company. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and wife of almost 56 years, Denny.
After leaving the Ocean City Beach Patrol in October of 1965, he began the career which would define the rest of his life. He grew up in the industry working alongside his grandfather, father and uncle, and in January of 1994 he was named president of the Derr Flooring Company. After the death of Chet Derr Sr. in November of 2000, he became president and CEO. He held these positions until his passing.
Under his leadership, Derr Flooring has grown from a single location in Philadelphia to seven warehouses in four different states and is now one of the largest hard surface distributors in the country. He was a pioneer of the early “Pro Show” and a strong advocate for the flooring contractor. He thoroughly enjoyed his interactions with vendors and customers, but most of all he loved his employees. He kept an open-door policy and any time, any day, employees had full access to his attention and wisdom.
He will be missed but his legacy lives on in the fourth and fifth generations of family members now employed at Derr Flooring. Funeral arrangements are private due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations to a personal charity can be made in Chet’s name.