FALMOUTH — Donald Brown Devoe, 95, of Falmouth, died July 30, with family at his side.
Devoe was born Sept. 11, 1919, in Bangor, to Frances Brown and Irving Woodward Devoe.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in psychology at the University of Maine, and then went on to earn a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Rochester.
During World War II, Devoe served for four years in the U.S. Army Air Corps, providing weather information to bomber crews on missions in the European and Mediterranean theaters of war. He was honorably discharged in 1946, but continued service in the reserves, retiring in 1979 with the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force.
Devoe’s professional career was in the field of human factors, including positions with the Air Force Human Resources Research Center, Air Force Cambridge Research Center, Sperry Rand Research Center, Sylvania Electronic Systems Division and the Department of Transportation. He was the author or co-author of many publications focused on human factors, and was a member of several academic and professional organizations.
Outside of work, Devoe was an avid photographer, artist, hiker, bird watcher, reader, trombonist, and perhaps above all, a humorist. He loved to travel, but loved being at home with friends and family even more.
Devoe was predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Muriel Elizabeth (Strout) Devoe, in 2002; and a sister, Jean (Devoe) Chapman.
Devoe is survived by four children: Barbara Cary, of Cumberland; Judith Haggerty, of Westminster, Vermont; James Devoe and his wife, Maryanne Krajcik, of Granby, Connecticut; and David Devoe and his wife, Frances Devoe, of Walhalla, South Carolina. He also is survived by nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild.
A memorial service was held Aug. 14 at Lindquist Funeral Home in Yarmouth. Burial with military honors followed on Aug. 15 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Bangor.
Donations in lieu of flowers are welcomed and should be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 74 Gray Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.
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