Derek Williamson Sherk

A lifelong stargazer, Derek left this world during the full moon in the early hours of June 30, 2026, after having extended time to say goodbye to family and friends.

Derek was born on Wednesday, November 8, 1967, to Maridel (Travis) and William McKay Sherk, who preceded him in death. Derek catapulted into this world with an energy that his mother wisely directed into sports. He excelled in tennis (admiring Jimmy Connors) and soccer, playing soccer for Oakwood High School and Northwestern University, as well as SV Schwechat, where he played semi-professionally while living in Vienna, Austria. He later competed with numerous adult teams, most notably Dayton ChromParts.

Derek’s drive and curiosity eventually led him toward medicine, where he became the third generation of physicians in his family. After graduating from Northwestern University and completing a pre-medical program at Loyola University Chicago, Derek volunteered at the Emergency Department at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. He also conducted laboratory work for its Department of Neurology, assisting with Nobel Prize-winning prion research. He returned to Dayton to earn his M.D. from Wright State University, and went on to practice family medicine, earning a reputation as an exceptional diagnostician. Nurses loved working with him, and patients trusted him. He had a particular gift for caring for older adults, offering both skill and compassion while helping many patients and their families navigate life’s final chapter.

But all of this was, perhaps, preparation for his greatest joy: being a father to Isabel Crawford and Ian McKay Sherk, with their mother Catherine Anderson. Nothing meant more to Derek than his children, and he felt deeply fortunate to have them by his side during his final days.

Derek had a quirky sense of humor and, “try as Mines might,” people simply found him to be kind and sensitive. He loved photography and had an eye for the unusual, often noticing beauty in places and moments others might have missed. He cherished a good meal, especially the cassoulet his mother made each year for his birthday. Annual trips to Michigan, visits to Krohn Conservatory followed by dim sum with his children, and time spent in nature were among his greatest pleasures. Birds, orchids, and the companionship of dogs, particularly Taffy, Zuma, and Moonie, brought him immense joy. Music was always close at hand, and NPR was rarely off the radio.

Blessed with both a brilliant mind and remarkable coordination, Derek approached life with determination, resourcefulness, and quiet resilience. Those qualities served him well throughout his life and became especially evident as he faced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with extraordinary courage and dignity.

Derek is survived by his siblings: William Jr. (Joni), Arik (Debbie), Christopher, Stuart (Julie), and Kirsten (Rob King); his nieces and nephews: William III, Grace, Robert, Thomas, Audrey, Steven, Adam, Becket, and McKay; a cast of friends who kept him afloat, especially his longtime friend William Edwards; and the neighbors, caregivers (particularly Mercedes Parker), Amy Stallard, and many others whose kindness sustained his family and him. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 22 at 4:00 p.m at the home of Margaret and David Treese, 510 Maysfield Road, Oakwood, Ohio. A private family graveside service at David’s Cemetery will occur earlier that day.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either WYSO (direct link to memorial donation), or The ALS Association at https://www.als.org/. Those who wish may dedicate their donation in memory of Derek Sherk.