Quaker Hill - Don Blevins passed away peacefully Oct. 24, 2021, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. He was born July 7, 1943, in Wichita, Kan., to parents, Julia and John "Jack" Blevins.

Don received a scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he majored in mathematics before going on to complete a PhD at the University of Michigan in mathematics and focusing on complex analysis. After several years of teaching at the University of Florida, he and his partner Bridget Baird relocated to Quaker Hill in 1982. Don then returned to school to receive a master's degree in biostatistics at the Harvard School of Public Health and spent several years working in public health consulting. He spent the remainder of his career at Connecticut College, providing information technology support for the college community. Following his retirement, he continued to take physics and history courses at local universities, reflecting his lifelong curiosity and passion for learning.

A devoted father to Alexis Baird and Cameron Blevins, Don would cook meals, chaperone field trips, serve as a room parent, participate in the PTA, and manage extracurricular carpools. He impressed upon them the importance of education, public service, and progressive values. After his children were grown, he continued to delight in attending their events to cheer them on (whether it was a local Turkey Trot, a college track meet, or an Ironman triathlon).

Don was a staunch advocate for civic engagement and public education, serving for ten years on the Waterford Representative Town Meeting as a member, Minority Leader and Moderator, from 1989 to 1999. This was followed by twelve years as a member and then Chair of the Waterford Board of Education, from 1999 to 2011. He also served on the Waterford Ethics Commission and belonged to The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), serving as president from 2009 to 2011 and received the CABE distinguished service award in 2012. Throughout his life Don remained fiercely dedicated to informed policy making, staying up to date on local, state and federal politics and spending hours conducting research and background reading during his decades of public service.

In addition to his children Alexis Baird and Cameron Blevins, he is survived by a sister Kris Adams; a brother Jon Blevins; a niece Ashley Adams; his daughter Alyson Owen; and his former partner Bridget Baird.

There will be a memorial at 1 p.m. January 8, 2022, at the Harkness Chapel at Connecticut College.

He also served on the Waterford Ethics Commission and belonged to The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE)

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Published by The Day on Nov. 17, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Don Blevins

5 Entries

Joseph Hesse

August 15, 2022

I am very sad to hear about Don's passing. We were mathematics graduate students at the University of Michigan and graduated at the same time in 1972. I remember, among other things, playing tennis with Don while we were students. My condolences to Don's family. He was a good man.

Richard Murray

January 4, 2022

My sympathies and condolences to Don´s family and friends. Don and I served for many years together on the CABE Board of Directors. He is a man for whom i had deep respect. Rest in Peace, Don

Elizabeth DeWolf

November 28, 2021

Offering my deepest condolences to Bridget, Alexis and Cam ! Rest peacefully,Don,and thank you for all the carpooling you did for the girls during high school- you made a difference in Waterford,for sure...

Sylvia Malizia & Fred Paxton

November 22, 2021

We were so surprised to read of Don´s death. We won´t be in town on January 8 but wanted to share our condolences with Alexis, Cameron, and Bridget. Our hearts go out to you.

Bob Guthrie

November 18, 2021

Very sorry to all his family and friends. I knew him because our involvement with CABE.

He was always a very thoughtful and dedicated individual.

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