[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DERRILL YAEGER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
life of Derrill Yaeger, a close personal friend and prominent attorney 
in the Inland Empire. On Sunday, September 5, 2010, Derrill passed away 
at the age of 83. He will be deeply missed.
  Derrill was born on April 2, 1927, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He attended 
La Sierra Academy and served as a surgeon's assistant in the Army 
Medical Corps in World War II. He went on to receive a business degree 
from La Sierra College and became the founding manager of the Alumni 
Association of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Derrill 
eventually resigned from the Alumni Association to pursue a law degree, 
and while attending law school at night at the University of Southern 
California, Derrill worked as an investigator for the Office of the Los 
Angeles City Attorney. Upon graduation, he joined the Corona firm 
established by Walter Clayson in 1910, where he practiced business and 
real estate law for 45 years. He became a principal shareholder with 
the firm which is now known as Clayson, Mann, Yaeger and Hansen.
  Known for being in his office by 4:00 a.m. many mornings, Derrill 
built a legacy of well-planned residential and commercial development 
in Corona, Riverside and Beaumont, and became a leading expert in real 
estate law and development. His clientele ranged from La Sierra and 
Loma Linda Universities, to 3M Corporation and the Bren Company. He 
even served as personal attorney to musician and television star Desi 
Arnaz for many years.
  Through one of his projects, Derrill worked to lift a moratorium on 
major land development in Corona and worked with the city to create a 
thriving community south of Ontario Avenue. He also helped Loma Linda 
University market 300 acres of sheep pasture for development that 
included homes and a medical plaza, and also provided support for the 
University's endowment.
  Outside of his law career, Derrill remained very active in his 
community. He was a member of the Loma Linda University Board for 16 
years, served on the Board of Directors and as legal counsel to Corona 
Community Hospital and the Versacare Corporation and later the 
Versacare Foundation. He also served as the President of the La Sierra 
University Alumni Association where he was awarded alumnus of the year. 
La Sierra University even renamed its new entrance road ``Yaeger Way'' 
in Derrill's honor. He was also a member of the Corona Lion's Club for 
many years. In May 2000, Derrill was given the ``Humanitarian of the 
Year'' award at Loma Linda University in recognition of his generous 
donations and tireless efforts on behalf of the University.
  As a longtime member of the Victoria Club in Riverside, Derrill 
served as Club President from 1994-1995. A decade later, Derrill had 
the proud honor of witnessing his son, Kurt Yaeger, serve as president 
from 2005-2006, which was a rare honor.
  Though his professional accomplishments were many, Derrill will be 
remembered for his kindness, integrity, and generosity, which was felt 
by those around him. Undoubtedly a busy man, Derrill tried to balance 
his professional life with his personal life, and often acknowledged 
that spending time with his family was what gave him the most joy. His 
children fondly remember the cherished time they spent as a family over 
the dinner table on Sunday nights, a tradition kept through the years.
  Derrill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances; daughter, Nedra 
Yaeger; daughter-in-law, Andrea; and grandchildren Jacqueline, 
Elizabeth, Emily and Adam. Sadly, Derrill's son Kurt recently preceded 
him in death.
  On behalf of all those who knew him, it is my honor to offer these 
remarks as a tribute to the life and legacy of my friend Derrill 
Yaeger. His life and presence will be sorely missed and I extend my 
condolences to his dear family and friends.

                          ____________________