Richard DeVore

Richard A. “Dick” DeVore passed away suddenly on February 1st, 2016, in Wickenburg, Arizona, at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, Karol, daughter Ashley DeVore of San Francisco, son Richard S. DeVore and wife Mimi of Montauk, New York, grandchildren Luc, Max, and Alexandra DeVore, and a brother William “Bill” and Alta DeVore of Wichita, niece Jennifer DeVore, Seattle Washington, Nephew Ross DeVore, of Wichita. He is also survived by step children by Amy (Rob) Meritt of suburban Chicago, Jim Lewallen Jr. and Chris Lewallen, both of Arizona, and by Patty (Luis) de Oliveira of Brazil.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 6th, at 2:00 P.M. at The First Presbyterian Church, 525 N Broadway St, Wichita. A private graveside service to be held at a later date.
Dick was born, in Wichita Kansas, January 1, 1940, of parents Alma Mae (Ashley) DeVore and Floyd Lee DeVore. He attended Wichita Public schools, graduating from East High in 1957, and received his B. A. degree from Columbia University in New York City in 1961. He was married to Leslie Jones DeVore, now of San Francisco, for more than 25 years, and to Virginia “Ginny” Dean Rice, who passed away in 2013. He and his wife Karol were married in 2014.
He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying many hunting and fishing trips with his friends and family to the Dakotas and Canada, among other places. He also traveled extensively to North and South America, Europe, and Australia.
Dick had an innate talent for business, which surfaced at an early age. When he was still in grade school, he sold cold pop to the home construction workers in the neighborhood in the summer; later there was greeting cards, ball point pens etc. By high school, he had bought some vending machines and had a small route selling peanuts, gum, etc. in various stores. Summers were spent working in the family Bible publishing and distributing office. After college he joined the family business partnership with his mother, father, and his brother Bill. By the late 1960’s, he had assumed primary responsibility for the Bible company. In the 1970’s Dick enlarged the family partnership to include an 8900 acre cattle ranch in the Flint Hills. There were substantial other ventures which lasted several years, including a sizable dairy, breeding Holstein Springer dairy cattle, farmland near Wichita and investments in the oil and gas industry. He retired from active business in 1995, when some of the enterprises were sold, and others were delegated to other family members.
Dick’s charitable activities were many and varied. As partner with his brother in the DeVore Foundation, he contributed much to Wichita’s cultural life with such projects as the Douglas Avenue sculptures, Music Theatre’s Jester Statue, and the excellence in Public Service Awards. His involvement with the Salvation Army included the establishing their annual citywide luncheon, and eventually led to his receiving the “Others Award” for humanitarian service. Similarly, his extensive fundraising and loyal devotion to the Y.M.C.A. led to the naming of the Richard A. DeVore South Branch Y.M.C.A.. His time as President and chief fundraiser for the Wichita Art museum resulted in the major expansion of the facility. Dick was the creator of the Greater Wichita community Foundation, which benefits untold local charities. His many charitable activities have resulted in many awards, including Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser from the Fund Raising Executives, Outstanding Service Award from the Downtown Wichita Rotary Club, and the Uncommon Citizen Award from the Chamber of Commerce. He is a charter member of Wichita Wagon Masters and a charter member of The Flint Hills National Golf Club.
He moved to Wickenburg, Arizona, about 18 years ago, and immediately became involved in charitable foundations there. He devoted several years to the Board of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, and was a major fundraiser and donor. Also, in Wickenburg is the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, which he also supported generously. One of Dick’s favorite achievements was the installation of numerous life-size sculptures throughout the downtown area of Wickenburg, for which he received a special achievement award. He was honored and deeply touched by receiving the Henry Award for Meritorious Service to Wickenburg in 2009, and earlier on for the creation of the Cowgirl Up International Art Show. Dick and his then-wife Ginny were chosen as Parade Marshalls of Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg.

Dick was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Wichita, and served on several boards and commissions, including the Board of Trustees.
Dick will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched and who benefited from his generosity. Memorials have been established with First Presbyterian Church, 525 N Broadway St, Wichita, KS 67214, The Wichita Art Museum, 1400 Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, and the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, 1090 S Vulture Mine Rd, Wickenburg, AZ 85390.

Memorial Service

Time: 2:00pm, Saturday, February 6, 2016 Place: First Presbyterian Church
525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214

Private Family Interment

Place: Old Mission Cemetery
3424 E. 21st Street, Wichita, KS 67208

Memorials

First Presbyterian Church
525 N. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67214

The Wichita Art Museum
1400 Museum Blvd.
Wichita, KS 67203

Del E. Webb Center
for the Performing Arts
1090 S. Vulture Mine Rd.
Wickenburg, AZ 85390

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