The grieving family and friends of a former north fire chief killed by coronavirus have paid tribute to an “absolute gentleman”.
Flags are flying at half-mast for retired Inverness station commander Derek Wilkie, who served with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for 27 years.
After a week in isolation, the 57-year-old was transferred to Raigmore Hospital’s Intensive care unit, ending up on a ventilator.
Despite two weeks of intense medical treatment, father-of-two Mr Wilkie died on Sunday.
Flags at Inverness fire station have been lowered as a mark of respect as former colleagues and friends pay homage to his long-term service.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Group Commander Alex McKinley, said Mr Wilkie “has left the world a better place”.
He said: “Derek had no underlying health conditions he was not a vulnerable person. He was a fit person and was very active. Derek loved hill walking, he played golf, he cycled, and he was an excellent skier.
“He fought a long and hard battle against this disease and unfortunately passed away on Sunday night in the care of the medical staff at Raigmore Hospital. He leaves a loving family, a loving wife and two sons. He will be sadly missed”.
He added: “Derek was an absolute gentleman loved by all, he was everything that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is about. He dedicated his life helping other people and serving his community. He definitely has left the world a better place with all the work that he did within the Fire and Rescue Service.”
Mr Wilkie, originally from Nairn, previously worked as a firefighter at Inverness Airport, before joining Highland & Islands Fire Brigade in May 1990 as a Firefighter at Inverness Station. He worked in various departments throughout his 27 years’ service, including District Officer Badenoch and Strathspey and Group Commander Shetland Islands. He retired in December 2017 as Station Commander, Inverness & Nairn District.
He leaves behind his wife Janice – a specialist cancer nurse for the NHS – and two sons – paramedic Owen and Blair, a medical laboratory assistant at Raigmore.
His devastated family have issued a statement thanking front line staff for their support in his final days and hopes this will help raise awareness of the dangers of the disease.
They said: “We wish to thank all NHS medical staff, laboratory staff and all support staff for the exemplary care that Derek received and in particular the ITU (Intensive care) staff who cared for Derek in the last two weeks.”
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer John MacDonald added: “Derek was an individual who approached his work in a professional manner, with a warm, engaging and larger than life personality and always with a smile. Nothing was ever a problem and he was dedicated to helping others, both the public he served and his colleagues, and was always willing to do whatever was required to deliver a positive outcome.
“Derek will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues, past and present, within the Fire and Rescue Service.”
Inverness councillor Duncan Macpherson, said: “We have known the family for years. Janice is my wife’s best friend. They both worked for NHS Highland at Raigmore Hospital. Our children were also in school together in Balloch and Culloden. Our thoughts are very much with them at this time of their very sad loss.”
Fellow councillor Andrew Jarvie added: “I was really quite fond of Derek. I met him a few times at the Town House and he always came across as a very good officers within the fire service, very keen to engage with the community and let everyone know what was going on within the fire service, which is always very welcome.
“It’s just so sad to see someone so young and only so recently retired pass away so suddenly.
“It must be a real wake up call to everyone to see that this isn’t just something that effects older people and for younger people it’s not just a cough. It is something that kills indiscriminately and it’s very sad.”
