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COMMENTARY

Dale Huffman: Reporter, leader, friend cut down in his prime

It was 20 years ago and we were putting together a fund-raising event to help fight Cerebral Palsy when Derek Ali became my brother.

We were planning to find Mr. UCP, which stands for both United Cerebral Palsy and "Mr. Ultimate Catch and Personality," and Derek jumped in, helped line up musicians, and even became one of the contestants himself.

I had known Derek since he first joined the staff of the Dayton Dayton News, and he was always there for me, and I will never forget the greatest compliment he ever gave me. It came during a planning session for that UCP event. We were laughing around, talking, joking, exchanging barbs. Then he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said, "You're cool. I think you are white on the outside and black on the inside."

From that moment on, we called each other brother.

The memories of Derek are indelible. Walking fast, smiling a lot, laughing with gusto, never hesitating to touch your shoulder when he was making a point.

My eyes brim with tears as I remember the best of him, and cringe to think that he is now gone, a victim of crime.

What a gregarious soul he was, and a man of passion, who was not afraid to let his feelings spill over publicly if he felt strongly about an issue.

A kind man, a handsome man, who always dressed as if he stepped out of a fashion magazine.

When feeling down, he would corner you, and whisper his concern, and shrug his shoulders as if to say things would have a way of working out, and he would move on.

Derek was a man of the people. He knew and could be in touch with those in the community who are of influence. Yet we best remember his ability to mix with the everyday folks who are the backbone and heart and soul of Dayton.

He could be very private about some things, and would fully share other thoughts.

As a teacher, a mentor, a master of ceremonies, a singing performer, a disc jockey, a speaker, a writer, he gave it all he had.

I was working Sunday morning when I first got a call about the tragedy, and it wasn't until confirmation came that it sank in.

Then my phone began ringing, and one by one, those who loved Derek Ali, who were shocked and stunned and saddened by his death, called to offer their thoughts.

"Terrible shock, awful news," said Retha Phillips, Derek's friend, president of BBP Communications and a former television news anchor, who was the first to call. "Derek's loss will hit the community hard."

After some time, I walked out into our main newsroom on the third floor of our newspaper building at Fourth and Ludlow, and was drawn to Derek's desk.

Like many reporters, his space is full of notes, papers, letters, tablets with messages. On his desk were seven or eight pennies mixed in with other items, and pinned to the wall above his desk was one of the many thank-you notes he received for one of his good deeds in the community.

Before long, other reporters and staff members began to gather around the desk, some just staring, seemingly not able to comprehend that Derek would not swing around in that chair any more, jumping up with such energy and enthusiasm and personality. Someday soon they will come and pack his things away, and it will be painful.

What trying days these are for us here in this newspaper office.

Jeff Adams, the newspaper's Web master, died, apparently of a heart attack, Thursday night, and on the day of his visitation Sunday, we have learned about the loss of Derek Ali.

This is a sad time. We have lost two friends and our hearts are heavy.

May God bless all who need His helping touch at this time.

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. This column is for you. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to him at 45 S. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.