Prominent Dundee and Angus coachbuilder Derek Keillor, whose mobile libraries served communities throughout Britain and Ireland, and whose Dundee Mercy Bus brought aid to thousands of tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, has died suddenly at home at the age of 63.
A leading light in the business community, he ran the family coachbuilding business for more than 30 years, taking a local vehicle-building operation and turning it into a nationwide leader in specialist vehicle design and construction.
Born in Kellas in 1948, he and his brothers, Bill, Allan, James and Colin, grew up in the heart of the Angus countryside. He attended Mattocks Primary School and Murroes Junior Secondary School before joining the family business as an apprentice joiner and coachbuilder.
In 1980 he and his brother Allan took control of the company. Derek was enthusiastic to grow and expand the coachbuilding and vehicle-painting operation, and began designing specialist vehicles to order.
At that time libraries were closing and the mobile alternatives were in their infancy. Derek set about designing a mobile library that would maximise the number of books carried, while offering access to every section of society.
Keillor mobile libraries would go on to serve throughout Britain and Ireland, delivering books and resources to thousands of people who, like Derek, were determined to educate themselves.
An enthusiastic past chairman of both Dundee Tayside Round Table and the Fortay Club, he was a great believer in promoting local community and charity.
Witnessing the devastation wrought by the 2004 tsunami gave him a desperate feeling of helplessness. He wanted to lend a hand, but devastated areas needed resources as much as people.
The original library van design had long been diversified into mobile dental and medical units, and he came to the conclusion that the best thing he could do to aid the disaster relief was to design, build and deliver a mobile disaster relief vehicle.
Drawing on help from local business leaders and a wealth of support from the people of Dundee, funds were raised and the Dundee Mercy Bus was built and delivered to Sri Lanka in record time.
Unfortunately, bureaucracy and civil war left the much-needed vehicle stranded on the docks at Colombo. Worried a wealth of energy and generosity might be wasted, Derek decided to fly out and free the vehicle.
In a ”boy’s own tale” of guile and resourcefulness, he negotiated release of the mobile clinic, then drove cross country through a war zone to arrive at tsunami-hit Tamil Sri Lanka, where the vehicle offered desperately needed respite.
At least 1,000 men, women and children were treated on that first day, and witnessing the mercy bus in action a feat made possible by the charity and generosity of the people of Dundee made Derek extremely proud of the city he called home.
A member of the Wrights Trades, a past chairman of the VBRA and a proud champion of local business innovation, Derek used his retirement to pass on the knowledge and experience he had gained from a lifetime in business as a member of the Business Mentoring Group with the Scottish Chamber of Commerce.
A keen sportsman, he played hockey for Morgan FP hockey club, enjoyed sailing at Forfar Loch and skiing at Glenshee. A member of Panmure Golf Club, he was the proud and popular winner of the 2011 club handicap championship.
Derek is survived by his wife Kate, daughter Pauline, son Michael, four grandchildren and all four brothers.