Since he retired, Derkin, with the wife of his youth, Carol, and their scruffy miniature poodle mix Dylanbob live on the banks of a river in Northwest Michigan. His working life  was spent in Toledo Ohio, attempting to manage an unruly group of employees in a prosaic wholesale distribution business. In January 2018 he finally saw that effort as Sisyphean; he sold the business, and headed North. Up North, he considers the time that remains while sitting by the wood stove winters, and exploring the Inland Waterway in an ancient Lyman motorboat summers. When not splitting wood, or boating, Derkin might be found writing, playing drums for bands you’ve never heard of, and thinking about God. Carol continues as she has for over 50 years to bring the beautiful things; the graces and decencies he enjoys (that have included two daughters) into their lives.