Obituary of Derek Norman RIDDELL

May 22, 1969 – Fillmore, Saskatchewan
September 18, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Derek Norman Riddell, beloved son, brother husband, father and friend, passed away on Friday, September 18, 2020 at the age of 51 years.

Derek married Lydia Henrion on August 6, 1994 and they celebrated their 25th anniversary last year.  Derek was the very proud father of his three loving children, Jonathan, Jessica, and Jordan. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially in the backyard (his happy place) and traveling numerous times to Maui, HI, which was the family's favourite holiday spot.

Derek enjoyed photography and loved to take pictures of the kids in all of their various sporting activities, of friends, and of the outdoors. He loved to golf and would get away as much as possible to Bearspaw Country Club, Calgary, AB, and various golf resorts in Phoenix, AZ and Maui, HI with his children and golfing buddies. 

Derek enjoyed both of his cars (1969 GTO and 2016 CTSV) taking care of them, going for cruises and the occasional burnout. So many wonderful memories were made when the family spent time at the White Bear Lake family cabin where we spend quality time with family, friends, water sports and gatherings at the boathouse.  

Derek attended the Cadillac V-Performance Academy at Spring Mount Resort in Arizona for his 50th birthday. He received a certificate of completion on May 22, 2019, for advanced driving theory and driving performance.

Derek accomplished much throughout his life.  He obtained his Petroleum Engineering Technology (Diploma) from SAIT, 1992; and obtained his Bachelor of Applied Petroleum Engineering (Degree) from SAIT/U of C, 1997. He was a valued asset to all of the companies that he was a part of during his career - Eavor, RMP Energy, NuVista Energy, Rider Resources, Burlington Resources Canada, Poco, Gardiner Oil and Gas, CanRise, Rising and Encor Energy.  He was also a member of the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and Saskatchewan (APEGS), and Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

In 2019, Derek, as VP of Operations, was part of the team that developed the Eavor-Lite Demonstration Facility, which was the first demonstration of Eavor-Loop.  This is the world’s first truly scalable form of green dispatchable power and building that Facility was Derek’s “baby”. He enjoyed touring people around it from all over the world. People are still visiting, but often virtually these days, because of the pandemic.

Derek will be most remembered as a fantastic provider, a creative, funny and generous guy.  He is a loving husband, father, son, uncle and friend.  The world has lost an angel but his spirit will live on in our hearts and memories.

Besides his loving wife, Lydia Marie (nee Henrion), Derek is survived by his children, Jonathan, Jessica, and Jordan of Calgary, AB; his parents, Norman and Judith (nee Von Sprecken) Riddell of Carlyle, SK; his brother and sister-in-law Jared and Tammie (nee Paul) Riddell and their children, Madison, Adrien, Jaiden, Nolan of Carlyle, SK; his sister and brother-in-law Jody (nee Riddell) and Jeff Sterzuk, and their children, Taylor and Lauryn of Calgary, AB; his foster brother Jason Waugh of Calgary, AB; Lydia’s family, her parents, John and Rosella (nee Sylvestre) Henrion of Weyburn, SK; her brother, David Henrion and his children Lucas and Ryanne of Red Deer, AB; her sister, Leona Henrion and her children Ashleigh, Ty, Emery and Grayson of Roblin, MB; her sister, Louise (nee Henrion) and Trent Carson and their children Brantly, Tanner, and Hudson of Lampman, SK; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. 

Derek was predeceased by his grandparents, Clarence and Marie Riddell; John and Audrey Von Sprecken; and his special cousin “uncle” Dennis Robert Neelin.

We would like to thank all of our friends, golf buddies, hockey friends, work colleagues and the medical staff in the ICU and Unit 46 at the Foothills Medical Centre for all of their kind words and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to support the kidney cancer research work of Dr. Daniel Heng at the U of C Cumming School of Medicine. Online contributions can be made here: https://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/derekriddell.  If you wish to mail in a cheque, please make it payable to “University of Calgary” with “Derek Riddell Tribute” in the memo and send to: University of Calgary OVC 131 2500 University Dr NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Attn: Andrea Ostergard

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, September 26, 2020.  Unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family respectfully requests that only family and friends that have been invited attend the funeral service.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Derek’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Derek Riddell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.