 Our
heartfelt sympathy to Nancy and the family. We knew Derrill as a talented
musician and a man of peace and understanding. We are deeply saddened by
this loss.
Philip and Carole Gilbertson
University of the Pacific |
I'm
shocked and saddened. I served with him for some years on the Friends
of Chamber Music board.
Vince Perrin
|
I
believe that Derrill did help people who heard his music and listened
to him in his passionate quest to bring about Deora's wish for peace.
He was a wonderful father, an exceptional musician and a dear friend.
Sue Eskridge |
It
saddens me to have the world lose another wonderful human being. Derrill's
gift of his music will live on forever. For that, Derrill, we thank you.
Alas, another voice of genius silenced too soon.
Mark Ziemann |
We
are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the sudden loss of Derrill,
and we extend all our most heartfelt wishes and sympathy. Derrill meant
so much to us in the Stockton Symphony—it was a great pleasure to
have him play with us on many occasions over the years. I’ll never
forget my very first season here a decade ago—we were playing a
piece by Thea Musgrave that called for some very special effects on a
synthesizer keyboard. Derrill kindly invited me over to his place and
demonstrated all sorts of possibilities—he was an absolute genius
of sound color and design. Over the many years since he has contributed
his wonderful talents to our concerts on so many occasions, always so
aware of the entire ensemble, and always possessing the ability to make
his keyboards sound like anything—an organ, a harpsichord, an ondes
martinot—you name it!
Derrill possessed rare musical gifts as a performer, composer,
and teacher, and those were coupled with his sterling character and
wonderful human spirit—all of which anyone reading this site
knows in a deep way. We shall all miss him sorely.
My wife Jane joins me in sending our very best thoughts in this
most difficult time.
Yours most sincerely,
Peter Jaffe
Music Director and Conductor, Stockton Symphony |
I
can't begin to share how saddened I am at the loss of a dear friend and
colleague in Derrill. I met Derrill when we were enrolled in our Ed.D.
courses at UOP, and from there we both enjoyed a short time as colleagues
at Sacramento City College. Derrill stretched my ways of approaching
teaching, and looking at new and progressive ways to utilize technology.
I am forever grateful for the exchange of ideas as we both sought to
find different ways to reach our students. It is my hope that my dear
friend is at peace in the company of Deora. Nancy and family, I
am very sorry for your loss. God bless you all.
Dr. Vicki Purslow
Southern Oregon University |
We
are so very sad to have heard about this tragic loss. Professor Bodley was
a very wonderful professor. He was a loving man. UOP has lost a fine teacher,
talented musician and special man. To see how Professor Bodley responded
to his daughter's tragic death is an example of what a wonderful treasure
he was to those he touched.
God Bless Professor Bodley as he joins his beautiful daughter in Heaven.
Many Blessings,
Paul Everts - Class of 1988, UOP Conservatory of Music
Diana Everts - Class of 1991, UOP Conservatory of Music |
Oh,
Derrill! My heart is very sad. Thank you for your bright heart, your songs,
your work for peace.
John Morearty |
I
am filled with great sadness with Dr. Bodley's passing, but also with
joy knowing that he is now with his daughter. I send my deepest sympathy
to his wife Nancy.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
I believe that Dr. Bodley lived these words every day, and
my deepest wish is that in some small way we all can continue his quest
for
"World Peace".
May God's Blessing be with his wife and all his family and friends.
Bernie Kramer
University of the Pacific |
I'm so
sad to hear you are gone. I will always remember your music classes at Sacramento
City College. I know that you are happy to be with your daughter now.
Christina
Sacramento CA |
It
is with great sadness and shock to read about the loss of Derrill. I worked
with Derrill at the University and came to know a very kind, peaceful and
loving person. His death is a huge loss for us but not for Deora because
now they're together...forever.
Kim (Stone) Cose |
What
a tragedy, but I truly believe he is at peace alongside his beloved daughter.
Elizabeth Santomier |
I
don't know how to express my sadness. My deepest sympathy to Derrill's
family.
James Eskridge
Anchorage |
I read
about Derrill in the paper today. I am so sorry for his wife and family.
He was a great guy to work with.
Kathleen C. Sadao, Ed.D.
Sacramento County Office of Education |
Derrill
was one truly remarkable human being. I felt blessed in each and every
encounter we ever shared. May his light continue shining on the
world.
Tom Nelson
Benerd School of Education |
We're
so sorry, Nancy. We hope Derrill is at Peace with Deora. I called Heather
this morning and she is heart broken. Patrick is in a state of shock.
Love,
The England's |
It
is with great saddness to receive word of Derrill's passing. My heartfelt
sympathy to his wife and family.
Kitty Gilbert
University of the Pacific |
Jan
Klevan Ruby
Jessica & Aaron Neely
|
I
am shocked as everyone else is to hear about Derrill. Yet I am so happy
and relieved to be able to picture him sitting beside Deora, holding her
hand and singing with her. I grew up with Deora in San Diego and Derrill
took the two of us to the East Coast to look at colleges when we were
17. I can still remember him driving us around in a rental car, telling
us to be quiet so he could figure out where he was going! My thoughts
are with everyone who Derrill has touched in his peace sharing lifetime.
Deora, I am so happy that your father has someone to take care
of him now and forever and you two can again unite and both watch over
us to make sure we carry on your peaceful ways and words. I can't believe
it has already been 4 years, it seems like last week that I was speaking
to you at your service overlooking the ocean in La Jolla and then soon
after meeting and laughing with your friends at Santa Clara. Love you
always and keep a good eye on your dad, he's yours now.
Tara Stewart, San Diego |
What sad news. I am so sorry.
Matt Castle |
Helen (Mrs. Ed) Betz |
We
are all saddened upon hearing of Derrill Bodley's accident on his motorcycle
and death Wednesday afternoon here in Stockton. Derrill was a faculty
member in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and provided
support for technology in our building and our computer lab, probably
for close to a decade. He also was a joint appointment with the Conservatory
of Music. Dean Fay Haisley hired him initially in the early 1990's to
help with support and distribution of software for high school science,
as well as to teach and provide technology support. Gradually, Derrill
took on more teaching in technology and the math and science methods
course for the Multiple Subject program. Concurrently, Derrill started
and completed a Doctor of Education degree from the Department of Curriculum
and Instruction with a major in Music Education. He was among the last
group of music educators in this doctoral major with the Music Education
department. He completed his dissertation in 2000 and took at full time
position at Sacramento City College in their music department.
Derrill was a brilliant man with many talents: he was a concert
pianist, presenting recitals frequently, particularly duo piano pieces
with a colleague; a composer, composing music with the Summer Theatre
Arts program with Sue Eskridige in 1991 and 1992, as well as many other
types of music and for many audiences; a composer of music using digital
equipment; a computer programmer and technician; a teacher of technology
for us in BSE and for the Conservatory; and a teacher of math and science--a
new area for Derrill and one for which he developed his expertise and
knowledge base.
Derrill was a modest man, willing to help, not eager to attract
a lot of attention to his work, and he was a kind and gentle man,
helpful to students and staff. We know about the tragic loss of his
daughter, Deora, on Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, and Derrill
knew that his daughter communicated to him by giving him a musical
composition that flowed into him and a message to "do the right thing." Derrill
became intensively involved in Peace Movements, and he visited Afghanistan
to meet families there who had lost loved ones. We have his wife,
Nancy Mangum-Bodley, in our thoughts and prayers, as well as his
siblings. Nancy was a University Librarian at Pacific for several
years. I know that all of us will miss Derrill and I hope that we
can help peace to flow in the hearts and minds of people throughout
the world.
Marilyn Draheim
Chair, Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Benerd School of Education, University of the Pacific
|
What
terrible news..I was talking about Derrill only yesterday to folk at Bond
University. I was extolling his virtue as my 'techie nerd'. He was a talented
and gifted contributor and he will be missed.
Fay Haisley
Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia
Dean, Benerd School of Education, 1984-1998
|
We
will miss Derrill. He was a beautiful person, responding to his daughter's
tragic death not with vengence but with a courageous willingness to work
for peace. His music, speaking and actions inspired many. We will honor
his life by continuing his efforts for peace. Much love to his grieving
family and friends,
June Brashares |
I'm
so sorry to hear about Dr. Bodley's passing. He was such a nice guy and
a great professor. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
Love
Trish Floyd |
What
a tragedy for his family; what a terrible loss for our community! A gentle,
intelligent, talented, and caring man. I liked him very much, enjoyed
working with him for Friends of Chamber Music, and greatly respected his
work for peace. We'll miss him.
Martha Tipton |
From
the moment I walked into his classroom, I knew the world was a "better
place" for his presence. Watching his incredibly selfless reaction
to the tragedy of his only child's death made me realize that, for some,
the English language lacks adequate descriptors for ultimate goodness,
for ultimate sorrow. "So sorry" . . . "So sorry?"
it's not adequate.
Muriel Fish
UOP class of 1992
|
| Derrill
was a great teacher for me at the conservatory. He passed on the hallowed
traditions of music entirely intact, but always with a dash of commentary.
He used to clown around with the sacred music of Bach, imitate stuffy
professors of the past, and break etiquette to make light of not only
himself but also the subject in general. In Derrill's class, music was
never something to be worshipped from afar, and tradition was never revered
for its own sake. He brought music down from its exalted place at the
conservatory and made all of its wonder available to us. He reminded us
of the fact that music relates to the greater experience of life, and
that lesson was iterated to us again and again through his attitude, his
playing, and the way he lived his life, especially his visit to Afghanistan
in the aftermath of 9/11. He was teaching us about more than just how
to be musicians: he was teaching us about how to be human. I will miss
him.
Scott Halligan
UOP Conservatory class of 2004 |
I just learned of the shocking sad news of Prof Bodley's passing. I had
the opportunity to have numerous conversations w/professor Bodley and
really appreciated his kindness and gentle spirit. A classmate and I both
commented when we left class orientation at how nice and cool he was.
I am truly sorry for the loss. I will miss not having the opportunity
to see him again. I want to extend my sincerest condolences to his family
and friends. With loving thoughts and prayers.
Annaraine Diaz |
Dr.
Bodley was a talented and wonderful teacher. He was a great mentor
to me and I will forever be grateful not only for his amazing kindness
in every situation, but for his trust in me and my abilities. I was
honored to "help" him while I was a student at UOP. He will
be greatly missed.
Meredith Hawkins, UOP Conservatory
Class of 2002
|
We
are distressed by the loss of Derrill, for many years and in so many ways
a much admired friend. He had a matchless mind and was a matchless humanitarian,
always able to turn wrong toward right and lead others to do so with a unique
blend of talent, grace and wit. Our hearts go out to his adored Nancy, his
perfect partner in all he did.
Nelda and Reuben Smith |
I
am shocked and deeply saddened by this news.
Ray Posey
PLNU, San Diego |
I
knew Derrill just a few years as a colleague at UOP, but in that time
I recognized a passionate human being as well as a musical genius. My
son Evan was in his class on Popular Music at Sacramento City College
earlier that fateful day. He was Evan's favorite professor.
Mathew Krejci
|
Milena and Paul Murdoch |
What
can I say about my cousin Derrill? We grew up in different parts
of the country and never met until after the tragedy of Deora's death
on September 11. He was the only other Bodley I know who was a musician
besides myself. And he was the only man I've ever known to follow
the courage of his convictions so passionately, turning his daughter's
death, a monumental personal tragedy, into a passionate crusade for
world peace. World Peace. Think about that. For most of us "world peace"
is a nice idea, catch phrase, or even a lofty concept, befitting only
dreamers or perhaps the naive. But for Derrill, WORLD PEACE was a crucial,
actual, obtainable reality. It mattered little how it was expressed
by him through lectures, his music,or speaking engagements and rallies
all over the planet. What remained important to him was that it was
possible, even desperately necessary to do everything in his power
to see itrealized, not one day, but now, today, every day, and from
now on, forever.
We'll miss you, Derrill. We'll miss your energy, enthusiasm, and just
plain huge heart. And I'll personally miss never getting to play music
with you again in this life. But I'm going to do my best to remember
you
in the spirit of my time spent living in New Orleans, my second hometown,
a town today in its own hour of need for compassion, humanity, and yes,
peace. In New Orleans the jazz funeral tradition urges us to celebrate
life. The second line parade is joyous festive music played after the
funereal dirges have all been quieted. The life of the deceased is decried
in the streets with shouts and dances of joy. The passing from
this mortal coil on to a better place is cause for celebration indeed.
We celebrate the rare and beautiful privilege of being graced with Derrill's
life. We celebrate you, Derrill....
-Ivan Bodley, New York City
|
|
"PEACE FOR DEORA" was recorded at Studio C, Stockton,
California, courtesy of Dr. Thomas Chen
Rob
Knable, Saxophone