Robert L. Devetski M.D.

1934 - 2022

Robert Lloyd Devetski, 87, of South Bend passed away peacefully on Monday evening, Jan. 31, 2022, at his home, almost one year after his beloved wife of 61 years, Grace. Dr. Devetski practiced as an internal medicine and infectious disease specialist for more than 50 years.

Born March 23, 1934, in Michigan City, Indiana, Bob was the only child of the late Florian and Mary (Prybella) Devetski. Growing up during World War II, Bob spent summers working on his grandparents' farm in Browerville, Minnesota. He was a proud graduate of Isaac Elston High School in Michigan City, and loved reminiscing about late night poker games and golf with his high school friends in Michigan City.

Bob earned his bachelor's degree in anatomy and physiology and his medical degree from Indiana University. Following an internship and residency training at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, he then accepted and completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Illinois in Chicago. His article on clinical research on a revolutionary blood pressure technique was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

During his internship at Rush, he met the lovely Grace J. Wood. They married on Oct. 3, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois.

After his fellowship, Bob was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He served two years as a ward medical officer on the USS Haven in Long Beach, California. At the end of his tour of duty in 1965, Bob and Grace returned to Indiana with their young family, as Bob accepted the position of director of Emergency Services at St. Joseph's Hospital in South Bend. He moved on to director of Medical Education for St. Joseph's and recruited hospital resident physicians from Ireland, establishing a flourishing program.

Dr. Devetski was well known for his compassionate and steadfast patient care. He was a powerful advocate for his patients, who were grateful for his amazing memory, meticulous attention to detail and the best care possible. In hospitals, he was known for his heavy, fast footsteps as he approached. He was driven to give his patients the absolute best care and insisted on the same from everyone.

A teacher at heart, Dr. Devetski served terms as clinical professor of medicine at the University of Illinois, Indiana University and the Michigan State Schools of Medicine, and as adjunct professor of microbiology at the University of Notre Dame where he organized, recruited and presented seminars on antibiotic therapy in the 1970s. At the request of Dean Emil T. Hofmann, he also recorded a primer on his profession for viewing by freshman at Notre Dame. Most of his teaching was to medical students at Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he served as associate professor of medicine for many years. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians in 1976.

Bob enjoyed talking with everyone. He was a true conversationalist who frequently sprinkled little-used words and Latin phrases into normal conversation. He had opinions on every subject and particularly enjoyed talking about medicine. Even after retirement, he continued his education through seminars so he remained current on the latest medical treatments and research.

An avid fan of Indiana University's Hurryin' Hoosiers basketball team, Bob was a lifelong Notre Dame fan and a season ticketholder for Notre Dame football and basketball for more than 50 years. While still in medical school, he volunteered to man the health services office during Notre Dame football games, so he could get in to the games for free. He loved watching and cheering for the Fighting Irish, even more so when as a neighbor of Coach Ara Parseghian in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He loved listening to Dixieland Jazz and the music of Frank Sinatra.

Above all, Bob loved his family. He was most proud of his wife and children. He loved Grace dearly, and unendingly. He called her "perfect." He bragged about each of his kids with great pride and obvious love. When his kids were still in school, he planned elaborate family vacations every summer traveling on planes, trains and automobiles throughout the United States, into Canada and, on one trip, Jamaica.

Bob taught his kids to play golf, tennis and ping-pong. In college, he was a campus doubles champion in ping-pong. After he could no longer physically play, he enjoyed watching his kids play tennis.

Bob taught his kids the Catholic faith to which he was devoted. He attended mass regularly and served as a lector at St. Anthony de Padua Parish in South Bend, where he was a parishioner for the last 54 years of his life. He prayed the rosary every day, holding the rosary Grace brought him from the Vatican.

"Dr. Bob" was an indomitable spirit - a force of nature - the straw that stirred the drink - who never compromised his principles. A true believer in self-discipline and hard work, he proclaimed his beliefs to all, without reservation. Yet, he had a soft heart and a playful spirit. He was creative with his language, had a stellar quick wit, was inspiring and supportive, and could be completely disarmed by an emotional story or a simple comment from one of his kids or grandchildren. His infectious laughter, like his life, was always loud and certain. His love, direction and optimistic certainty will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are his six children, Robert G. (Judy) Devetski of Granger, Daniel (Karen) Devetski of Marietta, Georgia, Thomas (Margaret) Devetski of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Susan Devetski (Douglas Osthimer) of South Bend, Timothy (Cecilia) Devetski of Houston, Texas, and Julia Devetski of Chicago. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Amanda (Grant) Morine, Grace Hamilton, Robert A. Devetski, Ryan Devetski, Maura Devetski, Samantha Devetski, George Hamilton, Madison Devetski, Thomas Devetski, Reid Devetski, Eleanor Devetski and Hazel Mae Stein; two step-grandchildren, Abi and Hanna Osthimer, and two great-grandchildren, James and Thomas Morine.

A Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be held at St. Anthony de Padua Church in South Bend at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1 to 2 p.m. at St. Anthony's before the funeral mass. There will be a private family burial service at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the wonderful folks at the Ernestine Raclin House at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka and Senior1Care for taking amazing care of Dr. Devetski during his last illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to South Bend's Memorial Hospital in memory of Dr. Robert L. Devetski. Visit Beacon.Health/Give to make your donation online.

Palmer Funeral Home - Welsheimer Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be directed to the Devetski family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.