Derrick Stanley Walker 1 0 TH JUNE 1944 – 27 TH MAY 2026
Derrick, beloved husband to Bev (SCTE & CAI Secretary), father, grandfather, friend and colleague, passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on 27th May 2026 at Wexham Park Hospital. Derrick was born on 10th June 1944 in London to Marjorie and Stan Walker. He married in 1970 and had two beautiful daughters, Karen and Emma, who gave him four adorable grandchildren whom “Grumps” doted on. Derrick gained an Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree at Enfield Technical College, after which he started working at Belling & Lee. It wasn’t long before he decided to branch out and set up his own flagship company – Teldis – in 1974. Derrick was a born entrepreneur and the company flourished as a well- respected distributor of quality electronic products for MATV and CATV systems supplied by companies such as Fuba, Wisi, Ikusi and Spaun, to name but a few. Teldis was a proud member of the CAI from 1982 to 2019, ie nearly 4 decades.
Derrick also joined the CAI’s Executive Council in 1982 and for the majority of his time with the Confederation, he was proud to be their Finance Director. In this way, he gave freely of his time and energies to give back to the industry he cared so passionately about. Derrick was an advocate of training and education and was instrumental in setting up some of the CAI’s original training courses and also helping to write the CAI’s Codes of Practice. He was well respected by his peers for his knowledge, experience, honesty and integrity - Derrick was a man of his word in every way. Derrick was also heavily involved with the SCTE, both with his company’s corporate membership and himself personally from the early 1970’s. Derrick gained an Honorary Fellowship of the Society in 2008 for his services to the cable industry, an honour he greatly cherished. Derrick loved to encourage and nurture younger people by helping them with his love of mathematics, training, electronics, chess and life – he had a great satisfaction in helping family, friends and colleagues reach their true potential … he made a great impact on a lot of people’s lives and careers – he was definitely a people person. For those who only knew Derrick as the astute businessman, they may have been surprised to see his softer side. Derrick met Bev through the CAI, and when they got together in 1995 it was the start of a fairytale romance. Derrick single- handedly arranged a surprise 50th birthday party on the River Thames for his beloved Bev for 75 friends and family and at the end of the evening proposed on bended-knee in front of everyone … naturally Bev said yes and she might have jumped up and down a bit too! The water theme continued to the wedding in August 2010 in beautiful Venice attended by 87 – it was a spectacular few days – a labour of love in the creation - and Derrick was a very proud and happy man with Bev at his side. Derrick was also known everywhere for his beautiful and colourful shirts and outfits he wore – always immaculately attired in the “As dressed by Bev” exclusive range. DJs at SCTE dinners were legendary indeed and heads turned when he walked into the room … and he loved all the attention his outfits gave him too! At the grand age of 75, Derrick retired and the Teldis name was sold - the company meant everything to Derrick and so this was a massive change in his life no longer making the daily trek to Tunbridge Wells. Sadly in his latter years, Derrick’s health deteriorated with multiple life-limiting conditions but he never complained, he just got on with it. Sadly, it was his Alzheimer’s which was the biggest battle as everything else he just took in his stride. He became the Houdini of keys, electric razors, post and glasses – they were always being spirited away by Derrick saying “It wasn’t me”, we all had to laugh and could never be cross at Derrick whose radiant and innocent smile was always in evidence! Derrick, the very funny, charming, loving, kind and generous man that he was will be sadly missed but his legacy goes on with his beautiful daughters, grandchildren and of course Bev, plus the many friends and colleagues he’s helped along the way. Our lives have been richer for Derrick being with us … he will forever be in our hearts and memories.
Rest in peace now our Darling Derrick, your work is done … until we meet again.
Bev x
If you would like to remember Derrick via a donation to Alzheimer’s Research, just scan the QR-code with our thanks.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker