D. Gene Davenport, Ph.D.: 1931 - 2020

07/22/2020

Dr. D. Gene Davenport, Ph.D., professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology in Saint Louis University’s College of Arts and Sciences, died Monday, June 29, 2020. He was 88.

Dr. Davenport received his doctorate in psychology, with an emphasis on behavioral learning and motivation, from the University of Minnesota in 1960. He joined SLU’s psychology department in 1960, where he held a variety of positions during his more than 40 years of service to the University.

During his tenure at SLU, he directed the doctoral program in experimental psychology for many years and he served as department chair for nine years from 1979 to 1988.

He also taught and mentored scores of undergraduate and graduate students during his tenure at the University.

In 2002, Dr. Davenport retired from the University but remained connected with an emeritus status appointment. His colleagues and students noted his passion for the psychological sciences and his love of lunchtime debates with his colleagues and friends. Davenport was especially known for his broad smile and booming voice.

“Back in the 1970s we did not refer to people as icons, but Gene was one for our psychology department,” James Korn, Ph.D., former chair of the Department of Psychology and an emeritus member of the department’s faculty, recalled. “He was an ideal representative of our history and spirit. His dedication was unsurpassed. As our senior colleague he provided guidance, often in long, complex sentences that contained his insights.”

Michael Ross, Ph.D., professor of psychology and a current member of the department, noted Davenport’s interest in both the academic and communal aspects of SLU life.

“Gene was able to adeptly balance the best interests of individual faculty, programs and the department,” Ross said. “He had every tool imaginable in his office to repair anything and everything in Shannon Hall. I enjoyed commiserating losses and celebrating the wins of Billiken basketball with him. He had a tremendous sense of history of our profession and department.”

Interim Dean Donna LaVoie, Ph.D., also a current professor of psychology, recalled Davenport’s skill as an advocate for his department.

“In my administrative role, I always remember Gene's description of dealing with administrators as being a form of jujitsu,” LaVoie said. “It's been very helpful, and a fond memory for me.”

Due to the restrictions related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there is no formal service planned in Saint Louis.

Dr. Davenport's friends and colleagues are encouraged to visit Gene's Celebration of Life Group on Facebook, where his family welcomes and encourage additional pictures, comments and stories to be shared in his memory.