Deno G. Thevaos

Retired Emeritus Professor STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Deno G. Thevaos, Ed.D., 89, retired Emeritus Professor of Education and Psychology at Penn State University, winner of the 1966 Lindback-Eisenhower Award for Distinguished Teaching, died February 18, 2009 at the Atrium of the Village at Penn State, State College, PA. After services on February 21, 2009 at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church with Father John Reeves officiating, he was interred at Graysville cemetery, next to his wife of 67 years, Theola Floore Thevaos, who predeceased him by six months. Born in Augusta, GA on July 8, 1919, son of George T. and Helen Antonopoulos Thevaos, he was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Augusta, GA, attended Davidson, then Houghton Elementary schools, the Academy of Richmond County, obtaining a Gold "R", and the Junior College of Augusta, Georgia, now Augusta State University, before attending and receiving the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Emory University. He served as principal, teacher, and basketball coach at Bartow, GA High School for the two years prior to World War II, in which he served in the U.S. Army - Air Corps. Following Honorable Discharge, he taught at the Oak Ridge High School, Tennessee for two years. After completing work for his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, he embarked on his teaching career at Penn State. There he was listed among the school's Master Teachers after receiving the prestigious Lindback-Eisenhower Award for Distinguished Teaching, one of the two highest All-University awards given annually by Penn State. For outstanding service in education, he received a Certificate from Phi Delta Kappa; from Kiwanis Civic Clubs he received the Kiwanis Legion of Honor; from the Torch Club, the Silver Torch Award for Outstanding Service. He served on the Centre County Youth Service Board, was active in the Special Olympics Program, and was a long time member of the YMCA. Following retirement from forty years active teaching, he and his wife continued to live in State College and maintained active involvement in Penn State activities and travelled extensively around the world. A few years ago they moved into the new retirement Village at Penn State. Dr. Thevaos is survived by his brother, Dr. Theo G. Thevaos and sister-in-law Artemisia D. Thevaos of Augusta, GA; his nephew, Dr. G. Philip Thevaos and wife Celia, and great niece Mary Emma of Waxhaw, NC; several cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom were beloved by him. Pallbearers were George E.Cheros, Wayne Coil, and G. Philip Thevaos. Honorary pallbearers were fellow faculty and staff at Penn State University, members of Kiwanis and Torch Clubs and the staff from the Atrium. If so desired memorials may be made to the Department of Education and Psychology at Augusta State University, Penn State University, or to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Augusta. Koch Funeral Home, State College, PA handled the arrangements. Platt's Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Avenue. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com