Dr. David Daniel Derse
As originally published on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.
Dr. David Daniel Derse, 59, died Oct. 9, 2009, at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center. David was born on Dec. 22, 1949, in Los Angeles, to the late Daniel Anthony and Montye Eloise Derse. David earned his Ph.D. in 1982 from the State University of New York at Buffalo and he did his postdoctoral research under the supervision of Dr. James W. Casey at the Louisiana State University Medical Center. Dr. Derse joined the National Cancer Institute in 1986 as a senior staff fellow, becoming a tenured senior investigator in 1991. In 2004, Dr. Derse joined the HIV Drug Resistance Program as head of the Retrovirus Gene Expression Section. He was an adjunct professor in the Graduate Program in Genetics at George Washington University in Washington, and served on the Editorial Board of Retrovirology and the Executive Committee of the Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Cancer Virology, Center for Cancer Research. David's scientific intelligence was grounded in a great love of the natural world and a kindhearted spirit. Soft-spoken and reserved by nature, he also enjoyed a whimsical sense of humor. At the heart of his character was his admiration for fellow scientists who were both accomplished in their work and generous, positive and authentic in the wholeness of their lives. He found great joy in his time with his grandsons, and he enjoyed running, hiking, fly- fishing, reading and travel. He was proud to be a native Californian, and that showed in his appreciation for California artists, scenic places and iconic images. David, a longtime resident of Frederick, is survived by his wife, Hye-Kyung (Kate) Chung; son and daughter-in-law, James and Carrie Derse, and their two, sons Lucas and Gideon; his sister, Kathleen Ruccione and her son, Daniel; brother, Leonard Derse; and members of the extended Derse, Chung and Lucas families. Friends will be received from 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Keeney and Basford, P.A., Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Middletown United Meth-odist Church, 7108 Fern Circle, Middletown, MD 21769. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Online condolences may be shared with the family at KeeneyBasford.com.
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