Derr Family Genealogy & History

Richard Derr (June 15, 1917 – May 8, 1992) was a versatile American actor recognized for his contributions to stage, film, and television. Known for his character roles, Derr played the lead in George Pal's 1951 science fiction film "When Worlds Collide" and "The Invisible Avenger" in 1958. His Broadway career included notable performances in "Plain and Fancy," "Dial M for Murder," and "A Phoenix Too Frequent." A life member of The Actors Studio, Derr's television work was prolific in the 1950s, including roles in "The Perfect Type" and the miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man Book II." Additionally, he served in World War II and held a real estate broker's license.

The Temple of Derr, also known as the Temple of el-Derr, is a significant rock-cut Egyptian temple originally located in Lower Nubia. Constructed during the 19th dynasty by Pharaoh Ramesses II, this temple is notable for being the only rock-cut temple in Nubia built by Ramesses II on the east bank of the Nile. Dedicated to the god Ra-Horakhty, the temple's architecture and decoration resemble that of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel. Scholars suggest it was constructed to coincide with Ramesses II's first royal jubilee, with contributions by Setau, Ramesses' Viceroy of Kush. The Temple of Derr was relocated to New Amada in 1964 to preserve it as part of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia.

Kenneth Tindall Derr was a prominent American businessman, known for his transformative leadership at Chevron Corporation where he served as Chairman and CEO from 1989 to 1999. Under his guidance, Chevron's market capitalization quadrupled, and he championed workplace diversity, making significant strides in gender and racial representation on the board. His strategic initiatives expanded Chevron's global footprint, notably in Kazakhstan, Africa, and Asia, and he was pivotal in the successful integration of Gulf Oil. Derr also held influential roles at Halliburton Company, Calpine Corporation, Citigroup Inc., and Potlatch Corporation, and was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Allen Richard Derr (1928–2013) was a renowned American lawyer, best known for his pivotal role in the landmark Supreme Court case Reed v. Reed, which enhanced anti-discrimination protections for women. Born and raised in Idaho, Derr earned his degrees from the University of Idaho and made significant contributions to the legal field, including arguing that the 14th Amendment prohibited gender discrimination. He co-founded the Idaho Press Club and remained active in his legal practice in Boise until shortly before his death. Notably, his advocacy led to a unanimous Supreme Court decision in favor of his client, Sally Reed, marking a significant win for gender equality.

Allen Derr hailed from a politically active family in Idaho. His father, Alfred M. Derr, served in the Idaho Senate, while his mother, Hattie Derr, made history as Idaho's first female state senator in 1937. This rich political lineage undoubtedly influenced Derr's career and commitment to justice and equality.