Alfred Rees Derwart, 81, of Indiana, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Beacon Ridge in Indiana.
A son of August Michael Derwart, Jr. and Margaret (Rees) Derwart, Rees was born Aug. 14, 1944, in Indiana.
He was a 1962 graduate of Indiana High School, later going on to earn his Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College in 1966, a Master of Science in Library Science from Case Western Reserve University in 1967 and a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law in 1980. During his career, Rees was a librarian at Deere & Co. in Moline, IL and Berkley Divinity School in New Haven, CT; he practiced law in Harrisburg, Indiana and New York City.
Rees was a board member of the Indiana Free Library, a member of the Indiana Rotary Club, and the Shakespeare Club of Indiana County. He had also served on the advisory board of the Indiana County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the advisory council of the Indiana County Technology Center.
Rees was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Margaret Ann (Mrs. Frederick) Van Dyke; his nieces, Gail Ann Van Dyke and Gretchen Lynn Van Dyke; and his four-legged companions, Ceasar, Scruffy and Appy.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 695 School St., Indiana, with the Rev. David Hanna, Pastor Kathy Mihoerck and Pastor William Geiger officiating. Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 36 N 7th Street, Indiana has been entrusted with the arrangements.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana County Humane Society, 191 Airport Road, Indiana, PA 15701 or to a charity of one’s choosing.
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