CALAIS and GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – Dr. Van Devander, 86, or Dr. Van, as he was commonly called, and “Bud” by his family, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at Calais Regional Hospital. He was born Oct. 8, 1924, in Port Morris, N.J., son of Don J. and Gertrude (Bradshaw) Van Devander. He graduated from Hannibal High School, Hannibal, Mo., in 1942, and after graduation joined the Naval Air Corps. He was stationed in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Park College, Parkville, Mo. He graduated from University of Missouri Medical School, Columbia, Mo., June 7, 1953, and interned at Springfield City Hospital, Springfield, Ohio. He received his doctor of medicine 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, Okla., from July 1968 to June 1971. Dr. Van was in general practice in Lakeside, Mont., 1956-1960; and Artesia, N.M., 1960-1968. From 1971 to 1984, he had an OB-GYN practice in Glenwood Springs, Colo. After closing his practice in Colorado, he was employed with CompHealth as a locum tenens physician. He covered at the Calais OB-GYN, from 1985 to December 1992. He came to Maine because it was the only state he had not visited. He retired Dec. 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, Colo., Patricia, M.D. of Denver, Chuck and his wife, Beth, of Urbandale, Iowa, and Don and his wife, Kathy, of Cardondale, Colo.; stepsons, Michael and Daniel McVay of St. Stephen, New Brunswick; grandchildren, Chad, Emma, Reece, Cooper and Roie; five stepgrandchildren; a brother, Donald and his wife, Gerry, of Downer’s Grove, Ill.; a sister, Sarah Ruth Martin of Waikiki Beach, Hawaii; his ex wife, Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. of Mesquite, Nev.; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Esther Graham of Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Virginia Tardiff of Florida; and very close friends, Lt. Col. Eric Allen, Robert Marshall, Lorang “Twinny” Norman and Bud Aaron. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at Calais United Methodist Church with a committal service afterward at Calais Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Calais United Methodist Church, 849 Main St., Calais, ME 04619; Calais Regional Hospital, 24 Hospital Lane, Calais, ME 04619; or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
DORSEY C. VAN DEVANDER, M.D.
