Ned E. Derhammer
Ned E. Derhammer, 90, of West Lafayette, passed away on Friday, December 22, 2023 at his home. He was born September 23, 1933 in Lafayette to the late George and Gladys (Welty) Derhammer. Ned graduated from Culver Academies in 1952, before attending Purdue University for two years. Ned then served our country in the Air Force for 11 years and then as a reserve captain once he was discharged. He served as a Captain and senior pilot in the United States Air Force 93rd Bomb Squadron during the Vietnam War. Ned was a B-52 aircraft commander in the Strategic Air Command where he was awarded the Combat Readiness Medal.
Ned participated multiple times in the Indy Honor Flight as both a guardian to a veteran, and with his granddaughter Jennifer, as his guardian. He has a personal narrative and recording as part of the Veteran’s History Project within the Library of Congress called the Ned Eugene Derhammer Collection.
After discharging from the Air Force, Ned flew as a pilot for Eastern Airlines for twenty-three years until retiring from commercial flight in 1988. A lifelong learner, Ned went back to college at the ripe age of 58 to earn a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technology from Purdue. Following graduation, Ned taught at Purdue for ten years, training aspiring pilots in flight.
Ned never let his age slow him down. After retiring a third time, Ned kept himself busy active in the Lafayette community. Ned was a board member at the Farm at Prophetstown State Park, member of the John Purdue Club, WALLA, Leadership Lafayette, Ag Club, Silver Falcons, MOAA, EAA256, American Legion Post 38, and Tuesday dinners with the ‘Liars Club’. With his passion for the Arts he supported the local Civic Theater, Lafayette Master Singers, Lafayette Symphony, Lafayette Chamber Singers, and Citizens Band. A Purdue graduate and former professor, Ned remained a huge supporter of Purdue Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and Football teams. When he occasionally had free time over the years, Ned could be seen driving his Chris Craft boat on Lake Freeman, restoring airplanes, relaxing at his cottage, or traveling.
Ned never lost his passion for aviation or military history, becoming a founding member of the American Air Museum in Britain. He traveled to the Reno Nevada Air Races and OshKosh Wisconsin Air Show for many decades, sometimes taking his grandson, Bryce with him to OshKosh. An avid WWII history fanatic, he traveled multiple times overseas on the Band of Brothers tour with two of his grandsons Justin and Bryce.
Ned is survived by 4 children, Norma (Marvin) Douglas, Diana Jilg, Tom (Ronda) Derhammer, Steve Derhammer, 10 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Monty and his wife, Nola, of 32 years.
Anyone who knew Ned knew that he had an incredibly generous heart, and genuinely wanted to see the success in others. He will be deeply missed.
A celebration of life to honor and showcase Ned’s accomplishments and meaningful impact on his community will take place at The Outpost in Lafayette on May 19 from 1-5 pm at 2501 Old US 231.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Farm at Prophetstown or Culver Academies in Ned’s name.
You can listen to Ned's Interview on file at the Library of Congress at