originally posted on 1/20/2023
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Derek Hamilton Gee passed away unexpectedly on December 15, 2022.
I first met Derek Gee decades ago. He is a long-time enthusiast and joined ACE in 1990. I ran into him at ACE events, such as No Coaster Cons, where he would be hanging out with fellow Riverview devotee and former park employee Ralph Lopez. And beyond those event meetings, I talked to Derek over the years about various matters in the enthusiast community that were of concern to him, matters which he cared deeply about. I most remember Derek for his keen intelligence, sense of humor, historical research talents and passion for amusement parks and roller coasters.
In 1994 Derek and Ralph created a video documentary about Riverview titled “Laugh Your Troubles Away” based on research by Derek and the personal experiences of Ralph. (In 2004 they redid the video to issue a DVD.) In 2000, they published a book, also titled Laugh Your Troubles Away: The Complete History of Riverview Park. It has been noted as “the most comprehensive and factual history of Riverview available.” I managed to get an autographed copy; I shall treasure it all the more.
Derek has touched many, many lives over the years. Kenny Rutherford (leader of various Facebook sites on coasters, such as Defunct Wooden Roller Coaster Files) remarked upon hearing of Derek’s death: “Derek was a brilliant guy with a variety of hobbies. But it was his passion for amusement parks and roller coaster history that started our unique sort of friendship. It’s no secret that Derek’s driving force was his love for Riverview Park in Chicago. He also co-produced ‘Parks from the Past’ Volumes 1 and 2, DVDs, which contain some incredibly rare videos of defunct coasters. He was always willing to reach out on Facebook or in a private message to discuss any topic at hand. I would usually get a response from him within minutes. As with many of my Facebook friends, I had never met Derek in person. Even so, I felt as if I had known him forever. He has been a regular in our weekly Zoom coaster meetings (hosted by Gary Kyriazi) and usually had something interesting to say. And believe me, when Derek spoke, you listened. He had that kind of allure, and it will be greatly missed.”
ACEer Martin J. Caliendo (who befriended Ralph Lopez in the 1970s and thereby met Derek too) said, “I believe I can safely say there was no one like Derek Gee when it came to his expertise, history and knowledge of Riverview Park. He was the go-to when it came to Riverview facts (and roller coasters as well) and was always at the ready with any documentation. [This is] a terrible loss to his family, as well as the amusement enthusiast community. Somewhere in the vast regions of Heaven. I'm certain that Derek is at Riverview riding the Bobs.”
Gary Kyriazi (author of The Great American Amusement Parks and writer for "America Screams" television movie, as well as host of a weekly Zoom meeting of enthusiasts) added, “I was thinking of Derek Gee this morning, and what a wonderful gift he left behind for those of us who didn't have a chance to visit it [Riverview]. Both a marvelous book and a DVD! I spend a lot of time freeze-framing and studying the DVD. Thank you, Derek.”
John Fetterman, Knoebels Amusement Resort ride designer, remembered: “Derek was the one who enabled our gaining access to Ralph Lopez's blueprints for the Riverview Park Flying Turns. I met with Derek and Ralph in Chicago over the weekend of January 16, 2004. We copied the relevant documents and attended the Chicago ACE No Coaster function that weekend. Derek visited Knoebels Groves in 2019 and brought with him Mike Chew, whom I had never previously met. We had a pleasant afternoon together, and I felt more ‘coaster relevance’ than I had felt any time since the initial completion of the Flying Turns project in 2008. Derek was a good guy. I will miss him, even though our contact has been reduced these recent years.”
Derek became a member of ACE’s History Committee (led by ACE Historian Dave Hahner). Dave noted, “We in the ACE family and coaster community are very saddened to hear of his untimely passing. I knew of Derek's passion for roller coaster and amusement park history, especially Chicago's defunct Riverview Park. He seemed very eager to be a part of our team and to help where he could. I will certainly miss our various interactions, including his insightful commentary and discussions that I've been a part of with the [Zoom] Defunctors coaster group. He will certainly be missed by those who knew him, including myself.”
Derek’s official obituary ends by noting: “Derek was a ‘quiet genius’ with many interests and passions, … music, film, stereo (3D) photography, roller coasters and amusement parks. He was one of the good guys the world needs more of.”
Derek is the cherished husband of Ann Marie (Mather) Gee and adored father of Christina Elizabeth Gee, of Livonia.
— Randy Geisler
#ACENews