Wendell Davis

Wendell Davis 1921 - 2013 Hampton - Wendell Davis of Hampton, CT died September 8, 2013, aged 92 at Westview Health Care Center in Dayville, Connecticut. In Wendell's words: "I was born in 1921 and lived a charmed life with affectionate parents and two older brothers. We lived next to Trinity College in Hartford in the winter; and in the summer, next door to my grandmother, who lived in the old ancestral home in Hampton. After finishing high school, I entered MIT and graduated in 1943. I received an ensign's commission and went into active duty in the naval reserve. While still in college, I married Alison Brown." Wendell served as Lieutenant in the United States Navy Pacific Fleet, on minesweepers, landing craft and on the staff of Admiral Turner, Commandant of the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Forces. With a BS from MIT and a PhD from Purdue, Wendell Davis taught from 1947-1974 at the University of Connecticut as Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Academic Dean of the Engineering School. In his fifties, he left the university to become a craftsman of fine reproduction furniture found today in homes throughout Connecticut and beyond. He and his wife of 71 years, Alison Brown Davis, recently received the Connecticut Audubon Society's Benchmark Award for volunteering. Having brought the famous naturalist author Edwin Way Teale and Nellie Teale to Hampton in 1959, they helped them during their lives and for fifty years helped care for their home TrailWood, now a much-loved Nature Sanctuary of the Audubon Society of Northeastern Connecticut. Volunteering was Wendell's avocation, especially for the town of Hampton where his family has lived since 1792. He served as First Selectman, prosecutor in the Town Court, Justice of the Peace (performing more than 75 marriages) and volunteer fireman. He served on several town Boards as well as the Boards of the Fletcher Memorial Library, the Willimantic Food Coop and the Audubon Society of Northeastern Connecticut, giving with his many practical skills wherever needed. For thirty years he maintained a peaceful 100 acres of woods, fields, trails and 26 acre pond; this property, now known as the Blue Flag Meadow, is owned and maintained by the Wolf Den Trust as a wildlife sanctuary and public nature preserve. Wendell Davis was a gentle man, much-loved by all who knew him, always unfailingly cheerful and friendly, an instant helper for anyone in need and a loving member of a close family. He is survived by his wife, Alison; a son, Mark and his wife Beverly of Hampton; a daughter, Beth Powning and her husband Peter of Markhamville, New Brunswick, Canada; grandchildren Jacob Powning, Markhamville, Brinsley Davis, Minneapolis, and Nathaniel Davis, Paris, France; and three great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at the Hampton Congregational Church on Saturday, September 14, at 2 P.M. Reception to follow at Holt Hall. Remembrances may be sent to Edwin Way Teale Audubon Sanctuary or the Wolf Den Trust Blue Flag Meadow.