About Derek Braaten

Saskatchewan Derek (1966 - 1991)

Derek is the oldest son born to Albert & Rosemary Braaten of Abbey, Saskatchewan.  He grew up on a cattle ranch in the Swift Current area among sandhills and cactus.  Derek took part in the Abbey/Lancer 4-H Beef Club, Cabri minor hockey, and wore the #1 sweater (goaltender) for the Cabri Bulldogs while carrying a full high school course load and rigourous road schedule.  Though the "Dogs" only played about twice a week, Derek managed to sport a somewhat reddish "Coppertone Tan" on the back of his neck even in the middle of a Saskatchewan winter.  After high school, Derek attended STI in Moose Jaw (now SIAST) and completed a course in Radio/TV Electronics.  Computers were just catching on - so fearing this new technology and the fad that it posed, he opted for a more secure albeit brief career in repairing 8 track tape decks and CB radios instead which for some reason seemed to be much more plentiful those days than computers.  In retrospect he maybe should have pursued the computers... at any rate... Derek then attended the University of Saskatchewan and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing.  In his spare time, Derek was involved with the Saskatoon Commerce Students' Society which he enjoyed tremendously.  He cites many memorable moments from the Ukrainian Alternative, the September BBQ, Bus Trips to Alberta, and of course the Upper MUB PUB functions.  B. Comm. B.Cool.

Read the rest of Derek’s colourful experiences, from Ontario to Alberta and British Columbia, on his personal site at www.derekbraaten.com.