Dr Richard Michael Davitt

Dr Richard Michael Davitt

Louisville - Dr. Richard Michael Davitt, 79, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2019 at his home. He was born to Helen McGee Davitt and Michael Christopher Davitt in Wilmington, Delaware. His parents preceded him in death as did his only sibling, Nancy Ellen, who died in 2006.

After graduating from Salesianum High School in Wilmington, DE, he became a member of the Oblates of St. Frances DeSales for eight years. While in the Oblates he received his BS in Mathematics from Niagara University in 1963. Upon leaving the Oblates, he attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA from which institution he received his MS degree in Mathematics in 1966 and his doctorate in Mathematics in 1969.

His two children, Christopher Davitt and Laura Davitt Teague were born during his tenure at Lehigh. He moved to Louisville in 1970 to take a position in the Mathematics Department at the University of Louisville where he taught full time until 2005 and then part time until 2012. Teaching mathematics was his passion and he also had a life-long love of music and was a former member of Voces Novae.

In addition to his two children, his grandson, Cole Teague, son-in-law Jeff Teague, and first wife Joan, he is left to mourn his passing by his beloved wife Elaine, three step-children, Greg Collina, Nancy Collina, Karen Coots, and four step-grandchildren, Ashley Stickrod, Alyssa Collina, Steven Stickrod, and Christopher Collina. Dear friends, Kelly Stickrod and Monica Thompson.

A memorial mass in celebration of Richard's life will be held at Epiphany Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 22. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. with a Mass at 10 a.m. and a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Epiphany Catholic Church at 914 Old Harrods Creek Rd, Louisville, KY 40223 or to Hosparus. Health of Louisville, 3532 Ephraim McDowell Drive, Louisville, KY 40205.