Derek Preston Dutcher Obituary
Derek Preston Dutcher (“Dutch”), 71, Sarasota FL died July 13 at Tidewell Hospice, Port Charlotte.
Derek grew up in Fair Haven, NJ, and graduated in 1970 from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. He studied Business at the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Virginia Glee Club for two years.
His career as a printing consultant and production specialist began at Whittet and Shepperson in Richmond. Later, he was employed by SEI Investments in Pennsylvania and then started his own investment advisory and printing consulting firm, Bantling Enterprises.
Derek moved to Florida in the 1990s, where he became happily involved in community theater, performing numerous roles over the years with The Sarasota Players, Venice Theater, and other area troupes. An accomplished self-taught chef, he delighted in hosting dinner parties around his huge dining table. An avid reader, Derek loved word play and was an asset to trivia teams. He was also a Grand Master bridge player.
Derek was the son of Olivia Summers Dutcher and Howard J. Dutcher, Jr. He is survived by a sister, Susan Dutcher Forte and her husband Rocco Forte of Hadlyme, CT; also nephew James Forte and his wife Hania Zia, and nieces Cate Forte and Susannah Stahr and her husband Adam, as well as great-niece and -nephew Clover and Caleb Young.
A memorial event will be held in Sarasota in the fall. Donations in Derek's memory should be made to your favorite community theater, wherever you may live.
September 14, 2024
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