Dorsey C VanDevander MD Obituary (1924 - 2010)

CALAIS, ME and GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO – Dr. Van Devander or Dr. Van, as he was commonly called, and “Bud” by his family, 86, passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Calais Regional Hospital. He was born on October 8, 1924 in Port Morris, NJ, the son of Don J. and Gertrude (Bradshaw) Van Devander. He graduated from Hannibal High School in Hannibal, MO in 1942 and following graduation joined the Naval Air Corps. He was stationed in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946. He received his BA from Park College in Parkville, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri Medical School, Columbia, MO on June 7, 1953 and interned at Springfield City Hospital, Springfield, OH. He received his MD degree from Boston University School of Medicine in June 1955 and was in General Practice for several years. He later took a residency in Obstetrics-Gynecology at Hillcrest Medical Center, Tulsa, OK from July, 1968 through June 1971. Dr. Van was in general practice in Lakeside, MT from 1956 – 1960 and Artesia, NM from 1960 – 1968. From 1971 to 1984 he had an OB-GYN practice in Glenwood Springs, CO. After closing his practice in CO, he was employed with CompHealth as a locum tenens physician. He covered at the Calais OB-GYN from 1985 through December 1992. He came to Maine because it was the only state he had not visited. He retired on December 29, 1992 after serving almost nine years with CompHealth with the majority of those years being at Calais Regional Hospital. After retirement he served on the Board of Directors of Calais Regional Hospital. In 1988 he married Norma E. Denley McVay. He loved watching football, especially the Denver Broncos and he enjoyed many hours of woodworking in his basement. He was an honorable, ethical man and a true gentleman with a great sense of humor. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Nancy of Glenwood Springs, CO, Patricia, MD, of Denver, CO, Chuck and his wife Beth of Urbandale, IA, Don and his wife Kathy of Cardondale, CO; step-sons, Michael and Daniel McVay of St. Stephen, NB; grandchildren, Chad, Emma, Reece, Cooper and Roie; 5 step-grandchildren; a brother Donald and his wife Gerry of Downer’s Grove, IL; a sister Sarah Ruth Martin of Waikiki Beach, HI; his ex-wife, Mary Jo Jacobs, MD of Mesquite, NV and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 2 sisters, Esther Graham of Glenwood Springs, CO, Virginia Tardiff of FL and very close friends, Lt. Col. Eric Allen, Robert Marshall, Lorang “Twinny” Norman, and Bud Aaron. Visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Calais United Methodist Church with a memorial service beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2011 followed by a committal service at Calais Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Calais United Methodist Church at 849 Main St., Calais, ME 04619; Calais Regional Hospital, 24 Hospital Ln., Calais, ME 04619 or a charity of one’s choice.