Rolf Eby Devries passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023 at the age of 79 in Salt Lake City, UT after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Rolf was born on November 7, 1943 in Paterson, New Jersey to Rudolf Baldwin Devries and Helen Amelia Eby. His early years were spent in Glen Rock, NJ until age 13 when his father unexpectedly passed away.
He followed his brother to Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA where his uncle was a teacher. At the time, Milton Hersey was a working school/farm for orphans and destitute families. Rolf excelled working for the school magazine as a printer and cartoonist. His early years at Hershey refined his creativity and eagerness to please others.
He joined the Air Force and served honorably in England where he met his wife, Aldeen Hutton (div). In 1970 he traveled to Rochester, NY with his wife and five young children. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology but left school to support his quickly growing family of 6 children. He spent his later years in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Rolf loved opportunities to work and serve others. He spent decades working in diverse industries: Great Lakes Press, JetBlue and Walmart. Many coworkers enjoyed his gregarious personality, and Rolf loved the people he worked with. He was always quick with a welcoming smile and enthusiastic greeting.
He loved to laugh, tell jokes and meet new people. He had an insatiable appetite for the arts; especially theater and movies. He lost himself in any type of music, especially enjoying great movie compositions and operas. He also had a soft spot for humor in any form; singing any ditty that would generate a laugh.
Always ready with a joke or a story his creativity with words was an integral part of his character. An avid storyteller, he enthusiastically invented characters and storylines. He was particularly proud of, “I Miss the City” published by the New Era, July 1990. He wrote countless plays that were performed by local church groups and published additional short stories.
His greatest comfort came from his devout love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the Gospel and looked forward to church every Sunday. He appreciated the many members that loved and served him throughout his life in his church.
Rolf is survived by his children; Clive Devries and wife Peggy, Charles Devries, Christopher Devries and wife Pam, Catherine Hutton, Christine Patterson and husband Clinton E, Clifford Devries and his wife Stephanie. Rolf has 19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
A service to celebrate Rolf's life will be held Friday, September 15, 2023 at 11:00 am at: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Riverton 3rd Ward 12998 South 1300 West Riverton Utah 84065. Interment Utah Veterans Memorial Park.
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