Doug Morrissey, formerly of Derald's Catering. Gargoyle photo by Gordon Ruan (click to enlarge)

IT'S A SUNNY day in September. Two Uni students cross Springfield Avenue to pick up the bacon double cheeseburgers that they have pre-ordered from Derald’s Catering, the familiar truck parked near the corner of Mathews and Springfield avenues.

They go up to pay the man at the counter, which doubles as a display of snacks and drinks. The man hands over their sandwiches in brown paper bags.

“Three, four, and five,” he says as he counts up the change in his distinctive way.

As the two students leave, he calls after them: “Thanks guys, have a good one!”

Such an exchange was a daily routine just a few weeks ago, but on Oct. 6, Robert Douglas Morrissey, the man behind the counter, sold his catering business to start a new life in Las Vegas.

The food truck will be back, according to its new owner, but probably not any time soon.

“I bought Doug's truck," said Eric Seeds, who operates another Derald's on campus. "It will resume [serving Uni students] after a couple of months because it is hard to train someone [to do it].”

Derald’s Catering has long been one of the most popular lunch destinations in town. Hundreds of people, especially campus residents, have been loyal customers. Morrissey's long and outstanding customer service earned him a place in the community, but many Derald’s customers may not have really gotten to know the man who served them.

The man behind the counter

Morrissey was born in February 1964 in Orange County, Calif., and came to Illinois when his dad left the Army and found work in Rantoul. Upon graduating from high school, Morrissey went straight to work. Although he went through jobs as an electrician, carpenter, and lumberyard worker, he was unable to find his niche.

“I never had the drive for high-paced work,” he said.

It was not until 1988 that he turned to the service sector and began work at Derald’s.

Morrissey’s job was not as easy as it looked. He worked on the weekdays, and his daily routine was to wake up at 4 a.m. so he could get all food supplies ready. He would open at 7 a.m. and leave around 3 p.m. Morrissey found work at Derald’s to be rewarding and did it with diligence and enthusiasm.

Having worked at Derald’s for 16 years, Morrissey finally obtained part ownership of the catering business at the age of 39. In 2003, the owner decided to retire. As a result, he sold half of his business to Morrissey and the other half to his nephew, Seeds, who would eventually buy Morrissey's truck as well.

The personal touch

After becoming his own boss, Morrissey kept the business prospering and did not face any challenges or obstacles.

“Business has always been good,” he said.

In the course of nearly 20 years, Morrissey found that interaction with his customers was the most rewarding part of his job. He served about 100 to 125 people a day.

They enjoyed engaging in little conversations with him: joking around with him or asking how he had been. He had lots of friendships with his customers.

“I always like dealing with people," he said. "I love people. All the personalities. I couldn’t dislike any customers."

Morrissey also understood how to add a personal touch to his service.

“He remembered what I used to get," said senior Ranny Ma. "My personal items and things: quad with bacon and egg. That’s what I used to get all the time.”

According to Morrissey, the menu for Derald’s didn't change much over the years. He made a few additions, such as the Chicken Supreme, Cajun Chicken, the Rachel, and the Garden Patty.

His three most popular sandwiches were the fish sandwiches, bacon double cheeseburger, and the daily double for breakfast. Fridays were always the big days, when everyone came to eat his fish sandwiches.

“I enjoy serving customers," Morrissey said. "They’re really nice, friendly, and good people. I have lots of friendships with my customers. But life moves on."

C-U in Vegas

As Morrissey got older, he realized he needed a change.

“There’s no insurance, no retirement [in Derald’s], and I have a family to take care of," he explained. "Going to get out before the snow falls in. Be going to Vegas and getting a union job there.”

On his last day many customers showed up, asking for his contact information, wishing the best of him, and thanking him for the service he has provided. Morrissey was evidently a part of their life, and they really cared about where he relocated.

“It makes me sad — he’s a really cool guy,” said junior Kareem Sayegh after learning that Morrissey was going to leave.

Morrissey returned the sentiment.

“Compared to other high schools, Uni students are very well mannered, very polite," he said. "If I had a high school to serve, Uni would be the only one. I would still serve Uni students through their college years. I’ll miss them."

MORE PHOTOS: DERALD'S CATERING

The way things were. Gargoyle photos by Sindha Agha & Gordon Ruan (click to enlarge)