Charles Cobert Derdzinske

Charles Cobert was born in Kingstree, South Carolina, on June 15, 1947. From the time of his birth, he was known as Coby. His early childhood was spent surrounded by extended family in Kingstree until his mother remarried and his stepfather’s enlistment took the family to Japan and other posts within the South. He returned to Kingstree in high school to live with his Uncle Rembert and family.

Coby graduated from Kingstree High School in 1965 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. The Marines stationed him at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. It was a fortuitous posting. Even after he was discharged (after his time as a radio operator, after his time on KP duty mastering the peeling of potatoes and the cracking of eggs) San Clemente would become home for the rest of his life.

In that beach town hugging the north edge of Camp Pendleton he graduated from Saddleback College, met Liz, his beloved wife of 52 years, raised their daughter, and ran his trucking business. Trucking would be his life’s work. In doing that work, he would drive countless miles across the US every year. He enjoyed the wide open expenses of the West where the vistas unfurled from the perch of an eighteen wheeler. Between work and pleasure, Coby traveled to all the states, save Alaska.

At home, his family and friends could find him standing in front of a grill, dipping chicken into Carolina vinegar and pepper sauce, his beer next to him, a smile on his face, ready for good conversation and a good meal. He loved his dogs and his boats and a good cigar. But most of all he treasured his family and friends.

When Coby retired, he expanded his garden, growing a variety of lettuces, tomatoes, passion fruit among other fruits and vegetables. He enjoyed sharing his garden and the pool with his granddaughters as well as traveling to visit friends in Australia.

He is survived by his wife, Liz, his daughter, Nikki, his son-in-law, Ben, his granddaughters, Phoebe and Ione, as well as his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nina, his stepfather, Bill, and his sister, Linda.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association via his tribute page: http://act.alz.org/goto/Coby