Derek R. Smith was born on May 7, 1928, the son of Sydney Smith and Anne Victoria (Pettican) Smith.  As a young Salvation Army boy growing up in Hendon, England, on the outskirts of London, he was taught to play the cornet by his father.  At age 15, Derek was invited to audition for and join the distinguished Rosehill Band of the Salvation Army.  At that time, this band performed numerous radio broadcasts for the BBC with Derek as cornet soloist.  Smith's playing caught the attention of the Bandmaster of the Royal Horse Guards Band, one of Britain's premier military bands, resulting in Derek being appointed as Principal Cornet and Soloist in June 1946.  He would serve in this capacity until June 1952.

In May 1951, Derek married Gwendoline Rugg, with whom he shared over 59 years of marriage.  Upon the end of his military service, Derek and Gwen moved to Clacton-on- Sea, where he became Bandmaster of the local Salvation Army band.

Following a tour of Canada as cornet soloist, the family emigrated to Toronto in 1956, where Derek became Bandmaster of the Salvation Army Earlscourt Citadel Band.  In 1959, Derek and family moved to New York City, where he was appointed Cornet Soloist of the Salvation Army New York Staff Band.  He served in this capacity until 1972, performing as soloist in Australia, Canada, Europe, Great Britain, New Zealand, and the United States.  During his tenure, Smith was privileged to perform and record numerous cornet solo premieres.

Derek was appointed Bandmaster of the New York Staff Band in 1972, serving in this position until 1986.  It was a time that was notable in the bands history, resulting in numerous recordings, and the 1982 month-long World Tour, in which they performed in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Los Angeles.

Retiring in 1992, Derek and Gwen, both of whom loved the seaside, moved to Clearwater, Florida.  They moved to Pennsylvania in 2004, settling at the Peter Becker Community in 2007.  During these retirement years, Derek continued to perform, teach, conduct and be an inspiration to so many people.  He continued to play his cornet as an expression of his love for Christ well into his 90's, and was a constant example of love, grit, and faith to his entire family.  Derek, age 97, was "Promoted to Glory" on February 12, 2026.

Derek is survived by his children Philip Smith and his wife Sheila, Susan Noseworthy and her husband Robert, Derek Smith and his wife Susan, Victoria Severn and her husband Roger; grandchildren Bryan Smith, Erika Pascucci and her husband Philip, Jocelyn Carmichael and her husband Jonathan, Adam Noseworthy and his wife Stephanie, Derek Smith and his wife Katie, Robert Smith and his wife Anna, Michael Smith, Angela Severn, Christopher Severn; great grandchildren Ruby and Estelle Smith, Noah, Silas, Shay and Eliot Pascucci, Hadleigh and Bridget Carmichael, Summer, Georgia, and Seth Noseworthy; sisters Gillian Smith, Judith Hill and her husband Gordon. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Jean and Thomas Wright.

A funeral service for Derek took place at noon on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Arbor Activity Center, 815 Maplewood Dr, Harleysville, PA 19438, with light-finger-food reception following.

A "Celebration of Life" service with the New York Staff Band will be held on April 17, 2026 with live stream and preliminary music starting at 10:30 am, service following, at the Montclair Salvation Army, 13 Trinity Place, Montclair. NJ 07042 to honor Derek's Salvation Army service and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Derek's name will be set up for the Peter Becker Benevolent Fund by clicking here.

Contribution link for the Salvation Army's Future All-Stars Fund for young people who desire excellence in their musical and spiritual lives, click here . Please write "Future All-Stars" in comment section.