Obituary: Howard Josselyn DeVoe

Howard Josselyn DeVoe, 90, died October 16, 2023 in Gettysburg PA after a long illness. Howard was born on December 10, 1932 in White Plains NY to Frank Kenneth and Martha (Josselyn) DeVoe. He graduated from Oberlin College and earned his PhD in Chemistry from Harvard University. After completing his postdoctoral work at the University of Oxford and the University of California Berkeley, Howard was a research chemist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda MD before joining the faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, where he remained until his retirement in 2002. In addition to numerous articles in scientific journals, he authored several books, including “Thermodynamics and Chemistry”, a widely used textbook published in 2001.

Howard enjoyed spending time in nature; hiking, gardening, and exploring historical landmarks. He was a genealogy enthusiast and compiled a detailed family history, reaching back to descendants who arrived on the Mayflower. He was an avid reader, writer, researcher, and Civil War historian. He loved sharing his knowledge with others and spending time with him meant learning some historical, scientific, or other interesting fact. After his retirement, he and his wife travelled extensively, enjoying their photographic hobby together.

Howard is survived by his wife, Stephanie DeVoe and his three children: son John DeVoe (Renee Thompson), son Don DeVoe (Cassandra Michaud), and daughter Dorothy DeVoe Harriot (Christian Harriot). He is also survived by stepdaughter Trish Maguire (Deb Salmons) and stepson Mike Maguire, sister Nancy Webert, seven grandchildren, two step grandchildren and eight step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert DeVoe. The family is planning a service to be coordinated with the Monahna Funeral Home to be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at monahanfnueralhome.com.

This obituary was originally published here.