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James Devlin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for James Devlin
Craig Thomson
November 18, 2020
Still think about you, sir. A lot. I wish we could have another conversation at T's pub. The depth of your intellect never ceased to astound me.
Craig Thomson
December 13, 2012
Dr. Devlin will always hold a special place in my mind and heart. His enthusiasm was infectious, his depth of knowledge astounding. I am honored to have called myself his student. He is the type of person you meet only very rarely in life, and he will be truly missed.
Chris Meusel
November 27, 2012
Dr. Devlin taught me programming, not a tool to program with, but basics of how to understand and read a program. And from this knowledge, integrations are always self evident. He taught me that if there's data in one place, you can move it somewhere else. His teaching style was unique and effective. I owe him my career.
Jeff Luckett
November 26, 2012
Dr. Devlin was a masterful professor who was single-handedly responsible for my long and successful career as a programmer.
I will not forget him as long as I live. Truly a singular personality. Witty, funny, always the smartest man in the room. He will be remembered and he will be missed.
Eric Gornstein
October 28, 2011
Dr. Devlin was unquestionably the most personally influential and memorable professor I had at BU. His frenetic, passionate, and borderline manic Core discussion sessions were unpredictable, engaging, and enriching. More than any professor, he challenged me how to think critically. He breathed vitality into the classics and had an uncanny knack for relating them to contemporary themes. He was a towering intellect, a loveable kook, a "brutally shocking (as he loved to say)" and honest critic, and a teacher of the highest caliber. Thank you for leading me outside the cave. Rest in peace.
Todd Porter
July 27, 2011
Dr. Devlin was like Prof Harold Hill, except that at the end of his course, we all really could play The Minuet in G.
I owe him all of my career successes. Thank you, Dr. Devlin.
a student
July 19, 2011
Beacon of Logos. Sharer of Promethean fire. The Colossus of Boston University. Noble his Telos remains. Thank you, Professor!
Jack Pariury
June 11, 2011
"My sincere and deepest condolences to Jim's family and close friends. He was a wonderful person and mentor to me as I was entering into the world of Information Technology. I will miss him dearly and will always remember how he helped shape my career."
With love and respect,
Jack M. Pariury
March 28, 2011
Jim Devlin was my T.A. for a discussion section for John Silber's Plan II philosophy in 1970. I can think of no teacher who had more of an influence on me than him. Well, Silber was close, and imagine encountering the two of them in the same class. That was when I decided to study philosophy. Devlin was so brilliant and so intensively intellectual that he was always slightly scary. He always kept us on our toes because we were never sure what would happen next. I came across this obituary today while my honors seminar was taking an exam (finally, a use for computers in the classroom--something to do while students take exams). As one of the students handed in her exam, I blurted out, "The best teacher I ever had died."
Dottie O'Gara Kelly
February 5, 2011
My prayers and deepest condolences to Jim's loved ones. Jim was a classmate of mine at St. Luke's HS, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, Class of 1960. We are all so very proud of his remarkable accomplishments and sad to hear of his passing.
Eileen O'Grady Blauvelt
February 2, 2011
From the time I first met Jim in St. Luke's High School, I knew that Jim would accomplish great things with his fine mind. My condolences to his family and friends.
Carolyn Hughes (Fairweather)
February 2, 2011
I was in St.Luke's with James since fifth grade when he arrived. He was always intense, bright, and funny. I liked to listen to what he had to say. I shall miss him as will the class of 1960. My deepest sympathy to his family. Carolyn
Fairweather Hughes
Alberta Feeney
January 31, 2011
I want to add my condolences along with the many others from the Class of 1960. There are those people who at very young age show signs of greatness and Jim was certainly one them. It was wonderful to read of all his accomplishments.
He as well as all of his family will be remembered in my prayers.
Alberta Feeney ( Segreto )
Joseph Whalen
December 17, 2010
Professor Devlin was unquestionably the finest teacher I have ever had. Nearly 20 years later, Nietzche, Plato, the Gospel of St. John, Aristotle, and Aquinas are all still with me because of him. I am so sorry tomorrow's students will not know his lectures and teaching style. My own father passed in early November this year. I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. God bless.
Justin Ryan
November 22, 2010
A remarkably funny, erudite and challenging teacher. We looked forward to his lectures in Core, sometimes, literally months ahead of their scheduling. "What on earth is Devlin going to say about Nietzche in 3 months?" we wondered with glee and excitement. Sitting down in lecture beforehand, we rubbed our hands mentally together in anticipation if were weren't actually doing so physically. How many students not previously drawn to philosophy came to love and appreciate it because of Prof. Devlin's acerbic wit, gregarious humor and fearless insight? Too many to even begin to count, and each one, beyond measure. RIP.
Bill Rainford
November 22, 2010
I was very sad to hear the loss of Jim Devlin. Jim was an inspiration to me and a good friend. I enjoyed his core and CS lectures and I will never forget the energy he put into his work. He will be missed.
Nicole Lanoue
November 22, 2010
What does one say about Dr James P Devlin? Where does one begin? How does one put to paper the influence he had on so many lives? He taught many hundreds of us how to think. With an unparalleled force of will and a seemingly inexhaustible energy, he gave our fertile minds endless exciting possibility.
Where would I be without Dr Devlin's weekly seminars? Less able to think, certainly. Less able to defend a point of view. Less able to be passionate about the world. Less able to appreciate varying perspectives. Less able to make the most of my education at BU. Less able to approach life with gusto. Very simply: less able.
Core is, indeed, a life-long experience. Dr Devlin is a formative force in that for us. He will be remembered always. And he lives on in every student whose mind he excited. Thank you, JPD, for making us better versions of ourselves.
Barton Bresnik
November 21, 2010
Please accept my condolences. Though I only knew Prof. Devlin through one intensive program in C/C++/Windows Development , that course enabled me to change careers. His legacy lives on in his impact on his students.
November 21, 2010
Please accept my very deepest condolences. Dr. Devlin influenced so many people at BU in so many ways. ~ Melanie Savage (Cromwell, CT)
Charlie Bergstrom
November 20, 2010
We knew how good we had it. Three hours weekly with Devlin wasn’t enough for us, so we approached every minute with fanaticism. His lecturing style included piercing insight- staring YOU right in the eyes- with brilliant commentary ranging from pop culture to politics to the text, all intermingled with remarkable and inimitable physical comedy. I feel blessed to have also spent time with Jim outside of the classroom with his family and friends. As a teacher and friend he saw things in many of us we didn’t know were there. His influence on me can’t be overstated- he fundamentally changed the way I think- and it affects my daily medical practice and my most important relationships. I wish I could spend three hours a week with Jim now.
I extend my deepest sympathy to Rachel, John, Beth, Brian, and rest of Jim’s family and friends.
Cheri Olf
November 20, 2010
I'm so terribly sorry for your loss... Dr. Devlin was such inspiration to me, and especially to our students at BU / BUCEC. He will live on in the hearts, minds and great work of those he upon which he bestowed the precious gift of knowledge. May he rest in peace...
Mozammel Husainy
November 20, 2010
It is indeed a sorrowful day to hear this news. Jim's passing simply enfeebles the teaching strength of Boston University and robs his current and future students, colleagues, friends and the future generations from learning from Dr. Devlin. While no mortal is void of weaknesses, Jim was always generous and equitable in his teachings and dealings with staff, students and officers of the University alike. One of the most eloquent and brilliant minds I have come across in my life thus far. He was a powerhouse. I am sure he is in a peaceful place and his memories will warm both his kith and kins for a long time. With my heartfelt condolences, Muzi.
Rick Freeman
November 19, 2010
My condolences and I am sorry for your loss. Jim was an amazing person and a great influence to so many people. I worked at BU 10+ years and Jim was a tremendous influence in my life in a very positive way. He was an exceptional human being and will be truly missed.
Melissa Ryan
November 19, 2010
My deepest and heartfelt condolences. Jim was a great friend. I will always remember him. Rachel, I am so very sorry.
Melissa Ryan
Nathaniel Bradley
November 19, 2010
My sincere condolences. I remember Professor Devlin well from my years in Boston University's Core Curriculum (1990-1992). He was magnificently terrifying and inspirational and dedicated to making his students question given knowledge and challenge assumptions. He was hugely influential to me, to this day. I still think about his towering figure, his unwavering and intense gaze, and his extremely physical teaching manner. I used to bring guests to his core curriculum class just so they could benefit from his lectures, and we would talk about the philosophical questions raised for hours afterward. My time at BU would not have been the same without Professor Devlin, and would have been far less interesting. It is hard to believe he is not with us because he seemed immortal.
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