Derek Jordan Gearhart, age 42, beloved husband, father, brother and son, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Feb. 12, 2022.
Born Jan. 10, 1980 in Sharon, Pa., he is the son of Charles and Denise Gearhart. Derek was a 1998 graduate of West Middlesex High School, graduated cumlaude from Penn State University in 2002 and earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College in 2006. Known by many as “Dr. D,” he was the owner of Bucks Sports Chiropractic in Chalfont, where he specialized in treating various musculoskeletal injuries with Active Release Technique and chiropractic. He was also an associate professor at Bucks County Community College teaching anatomy and physiology for seven years. In 2019, he was overjoyed to open a second location to work alongside his wife, Leslie, at Orchard Hill Chiropractic, in Perkasie, Pa. While he was gifted with healing hands, it is his supreme anatomical knowledge, goofy sense of humor, generous heart and kind encouragement that will be missed by his devoted patients.
A talented athlete since adolescence, Derek was always moving and encouraging others to do so as well. He played basketball and baseball and ran cross-country for the Big Reds of West Middlesex High School. After college, he found a competitive edge for participating in triathlons and eventually qualified for the Boston Marathon, which he completed in 2010. In more recent years, his passion for cycling (and coffee/pastries with dear friends) took him on the trip of a lifetime to the Highlands of Scotland. Above all, Derek enjoyed time with his family, coaching his children in flag football, basketball and soccer and beach vacations with his extended family. Anyone who came into contact with him knew how much Derek adored his wife and children and how he prioritized spending time outdoors with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Leslie (Miller) Gearhart, and three children, Brayden Charles, Bryce Douglas and Isabella Joy; one brother and his wife, Dane and Shawna Gearhart and their children of Pittsburgh, PA; his maternal grandmother Martha Willams of West Middlesex, Pa.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Douglas and Deborah Miller of Strasburg, Pa.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Todd and Natalie (Miller) Grager and their children of Lancaster, Pa.; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Cole and Kelsey (Pfautz) Miller and their children of Columbia, S.C.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William “Art” and Louis Gearhart and his maternal grandfather, Ralph Williams.
In lieu of flowers, donations on behalf of Derek’s children, Brayden, Bryce and Isabella, are greatly appreciated at this site: Memorial Fund Please consider signing up to donate blood or platelets for others affected by blood cancer by contacting your local Red Cross.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E Court St., Doylestown, PA 18901 and the family will receive visitors following the service at 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall (Andrews Hall 125 Mechanics St. Doylestown, PA 18901).
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