Derward Blake Harper, 55, of North Beach passed away March 9, 2015 at his residence. He was born August 5, 1959 in Vietnam to Howard and Dorothy Harper. Blake’s father worked for the State Department and they lived in Latin America for many years. The family later moved to North Carolina, where he attended college. After graduating, Blake moved to Washington, D.C. and to Calvert County in 1992. He was a self-employed technical recruiter or “Head Hunter”, working for the FBI, CIA and NSA. He married Karen Anne Tenny on October 9, 2004, and they made their home in North Beach. Blake enjoyed photography, the outdoors and was a certified diver. Blake was a very caring person and was always helping others.

He is survived by his wife Karen Anne Harper, sisters Beth Smith of TN, and June Stegall and husband Steve of WA and a brother Howard Harper and wife Maritza of NC. Also surviving are a niece Michelle Smith, nephew Michael Smith, nieces Arielle and Liana Stegall, and Claritza Ortiz and cousin Miriam Harper of NC, and many other cousins.