Robert Donald DeVoe

Robert Donald DeVoe, 87, died of Alzheimer’s on December 19, 2021 at Cedarhurst Senior Living in Bloomington, Indiana. Bob was born on October 7, 1934 in White Plains NY to Frank Kenneth and Martha (Josselyn) DeVoe. He grew up in Pleasantville NY, graduated from Oberlin College, and earned his PhD in 1961 in physiology at Rockefeller University. There his neurophysiological research, using the wolf spiders he collected at night by light of a headlamp, earned him the nickname “Spiderman.” In a 38-year academic career Bob taught at the Johns Hopkins University Medical School and the Indiana University School of Optometry. Bob loved music, especially opera (he rarely missed a local performance), Broadway musicals, and the folk songs he learned in the 60s when a black-listed Pete Seeger led sing-alongs at Oberlin YMCA retreats. He was an enthusiast for all things Apple and a staunch member of SMUG, the Serious MacIntosh Users Group. Bob was active in the Unitarian Universalist church, where he taught classes on the historical Jesus and was president of the congregation. He served on the boards of several Bloomington early music groups. With his wife, Libby, Bob enjoyed gardening, camping, hiking, and traveling. He was a skier, a scientist, and a devotee of Jane Austen. He was happiest when he had a cat. Bob is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Libby) DeVoe of Bloomington, son Edward of Boston, daughter Catherine (Stuart Schechter) and grandchildren Kenny and Jocelyn Schechter of Newton MA, stepdaughters Deborah Gitlitz of Portland OR and Abby Gitlitz (Matt Stonecipher) of Bloomington, sister Nancy Webert of Minnetonka MN, and brother Howard DeVoe (Stevie) of Carroll Valley PA. Family services will be held at a later date. If you would like to honor Bob with a gift in his memory, please consider two organizations to which he was committed: the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington (https://www.uubloomington.org/stewardshipannualpledge/donate/), and Bloomington Early Music (https://www.bloomingtonearlymusic.com/donate). Or the family invites you to remember Bob with a donation to an organization that is meaningful to you. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old State Road 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with fairyland friends at www.allencares.com

Tributes

Robert Donald DeVoe

October 7, 1934 - December 19, 2021