Elder Derek A. Cuthbert, 64, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, died of cancer Sunday afternoon, April 7, 1991, at his home.
The death was announced at the concluding session of the 161st Annual General Conference by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, in his closing address of conference. Elder Cuthbert had been mentioned in prayers during the conference as he had been seriously ill."He has served faithfully and diligently . . . and has been true and faithful in every respect," President Hinckley said of Elder Cuthbert.
Sustained a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 1, 1978, Elder Cuthbert last addressed a general conference session on Saturday, March 31, 1990.
Speaking on "The Spirituality of Service," Elder Cuthbert announced at that time it had been discovered after the October 1989 conference that he had been seriously stricken with cancer. In his address he expressed love and appreciation for prayers, blessings and loving concern in his behalf.
He expressed gratitude "for the opportunities of service - past, present and future."
A native of Nottingham, England, Elder Cuthbert filled assignments in the British Isles, Africa, Europe, South America, Canada, Idaho, and the central and northeastern areas of the United States. Since September 1989, he served as first counselor in the general Sunday School presidency until his release April 6 at the opening conference session.
His assignments at Church headquarters have included the Correlation, Temple, Priesthood and Curriculum departments.
At the time of his call to the Seventy, he was president of the Scotland Edinburgh Mission. Earlier Church callings included regional representative, stake president and counselor, district president, and counselor to four mission presidents.
Prior to his full-time Church service, Elder Cuthbert was commercial manager of a British chemical and plastics company. He was a graduate in economics and law from the University of Nottingham, and had served in the British Royal Air Force during World War II.
He was born Oct. 5, 1926, a son of Harry and Hilda May Freck Cuthbert. He married Muriel Olive Mason May 12, 1945, in Nottingham. After they joined the Church in 1951, their marriage was solemnized in the London Temple. They had six daughters, four sons and several grandchildren.
Funeral services were April 11 in the Salt Lake Holladay North Stake Center.
