Derrick Tabbish
Posted by Love Hope Strength on Jul 16, 2008
Derrick’s life has been effected by cancer twice over, he lost his Grandfather to lung cancer in 1998. And now he is completing this trek in tribute to his Uncle Otto. Otto has been an inspiration in Derrick’s life as well as many others. See www.ottoschutt.com for more about this wonderful young man. Otto lost his battle with colon cancer in May 2008. He had planned to join in on the Peru Trek and was telling everyone all about it even through his last days in the hospital. Derrick will be completing the Peru trek in his place, he is one part of “Team Otto”. Otto was a mentor and a father figure to Derrick. Derrick lost his own father when he was 13 and Otto stepped up in so many ways in his life. Derrick’s love of travel, history, and politics all stem from the many conversations with his “Uncle Otto”. Helping to fulfill Otto’s last trek will be a true tribute to Otto!
Derrick grew up in Spokane, WA. From a very young age he learned about hiking, camping, hunting, skiing and enjoying the outdoors throughout the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He moved to southern California for High School & College and continued his love of the outdoors through trail riding & hiking. He has climbed Mt. Whitney, hiked throughout Joshua Tree National Park, Red Rock National Park, and Lake Powell.
In 2007 Derrick moved to Las Vegas to begin a Union Apprenticeship in Plumbing & Pipe Fitting. He has worked on the building of several casinos throughout Las Vegas, many days working in the hot 110+ degree heat.
Derrick has been involved on a very personal level with community service. As a young teenager he volunteered to serve food at a local homeless shelter. He also assisted in a craft program for the children at the Battered Women’s Center. For several years he took part in the Pet Therapy visits to the elderly shut-ins. The Love-Hope-Strength connection will fulfill many needs, both for healing and for serving.
Derrick’s family has always owned race horses, so he grew up around the race track & horses and knows his way around them. He has done some trail rides throughout southern California. Derrick has traveled throughout the USA, been to Costa Rica, through parts of Mexico and Canada. This will be his first trip to South America.
