John Devine Obituary

John (Jack) R. Devine, Ed.D. John (Jack) Devine passed away on September 10, 2008. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA, June 17, 1916, to William and Cecilia Devine. He entered the novitiate of the Christian Brothers DeLaSalle at the age of 14, graduating with an AB from Catholic University of America in 1938. John enlisted in the Navy as a 2nd lieutenant in WWII, specializing in communications, and was stationed at the Long Beach, CA, Naval Dry Docks, and overseas in New Guinea. When he returned, John married Adair Krombka on March 17, 1946. He received his M.S.E.D. and his Ed.D. from the University of Southern California. Dr. Devine was one of the founding faculty members for the School of Education at the University of San Francisco. He served with distinction as a faculty member, specializing in statistics, and as associate dean of the School of Education until 2006, retiring as professor emeritus. Thousands of his students became teachers and administrators throughout California. John was an avid and skilled fisherman including surf and fly-fishing off the California coast, the rivers and streams of Northern California and Oregon and the San Francisco Casting Pools in Golden Gate Park. John's many passions included creating one-of-a-kind wood furniture for family and friends. He was an active communicant at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in South San Francisco. In addition to his wife, Adair, of 62 years, he leaves his children, Dennis (Helen Hwang), Philip (Theodore Kowalski), Stephen (June Dayao), Suzanne (Devine) Wyatt (John), Timothy (Daphne), and Tammy; and grandchildren, Andrew Devine, Danny and Timmy Wyatt, Rita and Arthur Jen. The family would like to extend their special thanks to Manalo Board and Care Home, especially Josie, Anna, and Maritza. Friends may attend the Memorial Service at 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 18, 2008 at Garden Chapel, 885 El Camino Real, South SF. Committal Service to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Professor John Devine's name to the USF School of Education, for teacher education. 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117-1080. Garden Chapel Funeral Directors (650) 583-2510

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 16 to Sep. 17, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Devine

13 Entries

June Dayao

September 27, 2008

Dr. Jack made me feel welcome and accepted. He loved his children and the love of his life, Miss Adair. His warmth and exuberance for life will live on in all of us who are missing him. Aloha, Dr. Jack.

Stephen Devine

September 26, 2008

Among the many life lessons that dad taught me, the one that stands out the most is his compassion for all living things. He had a great understanding for the complexities of the world we live in. He was also very humble about his place and our place as a family. Dad's love was unconditional for his family and his wife. He was very understanding about the trials and tribulations we all faced as children and was also there to lend and support a guiding hand. He believed that his children needed to explore the world around them, to live life, ask questions, and wonder. Dad always put others before himself. And as one of his six kids, I knew that from an early age, by his willingness to take us fishing, hiking and camping in California and Oregon. I'm forever grateful to have been born in the great city of San Francisco, and as an adult to have attended the University of San Francisco where dad worked for 55 years. When I graduated and went through the teacher training program at USF, I learned from my dad's colleagues how well they regarded him; it was quite humbling that my dad would invite me to share his professional world so freely. As I look back on nearly 30 years of teaching I now realize that dad was with me every step of the way. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. When he was in the Manalo's residential facility in the last two years of his life, the owner said he never complained once about anything. That in itself is pretty remarkable in this day and age. He believed in his country, family, community, and church and taught me above all to be a good friend, community member and citizen to all. It was an honor to be his son. I love you dad.

Gloria Chen

September 24, 2008

Although Dr. Devine had said "The greatest calling anyone can have is to be a teacher", I'm greatful to have known Dr. Devine as a father through his sons and daughters.

Suzanne Marie Devine Wyatt

September 24, 2008

The best Father that a daughter could have.

Barbara Hood

September 19, 2008

I express my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Devine and her family on their loss. As part of the USF School of Education community, I feel this great loss as well. As his former department's program assistant, I met Dr. Devine in 2000 and continually enjoyed chatting with him when he came in; to hear about his fishing stories, the history of the School and many other topics was very enjoyable. I greatly admired him for his obvious dedication to students and education in addition to being a very kind man. I am honored to have known him.
- Barbara, USF School of Education

Nancy and Dave Jess

September 18, 2008

Our sincerest condolences.

Vincent Boyle

September 17, 2008

To the Devine family,
I also was a student of Dr. Devine. He tried very hard to get me to understand statistics but he never gave up. Wonderful fishing stories I remember not the statistics though!We need more men like him.

Bruce Burns

September 17, 2008

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Devine family on John's passing.
Whenever I visited the Devine home as a young boy and teenager John was always friendly and kind to me. I can still remember his humor, wit and gentleness.
John's warm "hello" while he was sitting in his favorite reading chair I often think of even after 40 years have passed since we last spoke.
John's love of his family, service to his country, academic achievements and professional successes were an inspiration to my life. In so many ways John is an American hero.
I will not be able to join your family at the Services. Even though I can not be present with your family my thoughts, prayers and love will be with you all. Also, my soul and spirit will celebrate John's life everyday of my life.
God bless John and his family. I am so very sad and in emotional pain that John is no longer physically with us. However his life force and spirit will comfort me now and forever.
God's love and my love is with your family. Be well and be at peace. Bruce Burns

Bill Mulholland

September 16, 2008

For whatever success I had as a teacher, and a school and district administrator for 35 years, I owe to a kind ,gentle and sensitive man named Dr. Devine. May God Bless him and his family.

Dr. Larry Love

September 16, 2008

To the Entire Devine Family:

I would like to extend to you all my deepest prayers of love and respect for a very kind friend, mentor, and gentle man, Dr. John Devine. Because of his enouragement and belief that he had in me as a human being, I was able to not only complete my Doctorate Degree at USF, but to go on to to teach in Korea, Japan, and now in China, and to follow his sound advice and educational teachings. I want all of his family and friends to know how wonderful and loving this great man was to me.

I will dedicate the song, "Here I Am Lord", in memory of John , who loved music so very much, during his memorial celebration, while I am teaching here in China. I know and believe in my heart that the love and spirit of Dr. John Devine will live on through the lives of all the people he has touched.

God bless you all,

Dr. Larry Love, Ed.D.

Dr. Larry Love

September 16, 2008

To the Entire Divine Family:

I would like to extend to you all my deepest prayers of love and respect for a very kind friend, mentor, and gentle man, Dr. John Divine. Because of his enouragement and belief that he had in me as a human being, I was able to not only complete my Doctorate Degree at USF, but to go on to to teach in Korea, Japan, and now in China, and to follow his sound advice and educational teachings. I want all of his family and friends to know how wonderful and loving this great man was to me.

I will dedicate the song, "Here I Am Lord", in memory of John , who loved music so very much, during his memorial celebration, while I am teaching here in China. I know and believe in my heart that the love and spirit of Dr. John Divine will live on through the lives of all the people he has touched.

God bless you all,

Dr. Larry Love, Ed.D.

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