Obit: Charlie Derrington - Gibson Mandolins

Subject: Obit: Charlie Derrington - Gibson Mandolins
From: Wesley S
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 10:18 AM

Charlie Derrington - the guiding light behind Gibson Mandolins was killed last night by a drunk driver. This post by Joe Vest - a co-worker - has been cut and pasted from the Mandolin Cafe :

It is with heavy heart I inform the Cafe that my friend, Charlie Derrington, has passed on. He was taken in a motorcycle accident last evening by a drunken driver in the wrong lane. He will most certainly be missed by the Bluegrass community as a whole, the Cafe, Gibson, and his family and many friends.

Please be in prayer for his wife, Susan, and their daughter, Anna, who is just about to enter her sophmore year in college. It is a terrible loss to us all. I have no information on arrangements yet. I will post them as they become available.

And this is from the local paper:

Davidson County briefs: Wreck kills cyclist; motorist in custody


A man suspected of drunken driving and traveling the wrong way on Briley Parkway in west Nashville struck and killed a 51-year-old Nashville man on a motorcycle Tuesday night, Metro police said.

The Ford Explorer was going north on the southbound side of Briley Parkway about 9:15 p.m. near the Robertson Road exit when it hit the motorcycle head-on, Capt. Richard Foley said. The man was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

His name was not released, pending notification of his family.

The driver of the car fled the scene after the accident but was quickly identified by witnesses, Foley said. Julio Villasana, 34, was arrested in connection with the accident. Police believe alcohol was a factor but were still investigating possible charges Tuesday night, Foley said.

Villasana told police he was from Kentucky.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Derrington - Gibson Mandolins
From: mandotim
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 10:34 AM

This is terrible news; Charlie Derrington was a legend in the mandolin community; the man who put Bill Monroe's mandolin back together from a collection of splinters, and who pretty much single-handedly restored Gibson as a premier maker of mandolins. He had moved on to a higher level in the company, but as always was generous with his knowledge and time to help others in building or improving their mandolins. One of the good guys has gone, and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Charlie, and thoughts and prayers to the family left behind.
Tim

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Derrington - Gibson Mandolins
From: Mooh
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 12:43 PM

CRAP! He was a real hero to those of us who frequent the Mandolin Cafe, and the larger music community. This is a true shame. My hopes and prayers for his family and friends.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Derrington - Gibson Mandolins
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 02:33 PM

Another life wasted by a waster ??