Obituary of Richard Francis Devon

Richard F. Devon, a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on December 24, 2023, in Reston, Virginia. He was born on December 19, 1941, in Saltash, Cornwall, England, to the late Gordon and Winfred Williams. Richard was preceded in death by his brother John Williams, his sister Judy Tucker, and his nephew Andrew Tucker. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Carol Abdo, his daughter Melanie, his son Taij, his brother Mark Williams, his nephew Angus Tucker, and his other six nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind countless family members and friends who will miss him dearly. In 1963, Richard graduated from the University of Southampton, England with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. In 1969, he obtained an M.S. in Structural Engineering and later a PhD in Sociology of Education from the University of California, Berkeley. In June 1980, Richard joined Penn State University, where he became Professor of Engineering Design. Through the years, Richard became the first director of the Engineering Design Program, and was instrumental in leading the program through a lengthy developmental period and into an institutionalized program with a bright future. In December 2014, Richard retired after 34 years of dedication to Penn State University. In June 2023, Richard and his family relocated from State College, PA to Reston, VA, in pursuit of more travel and outdoor opportunities. Richard was looking forward to new adventures and cherished memories with his loved ones. Throughout his life, Richard traveled extensively to countless countries. He had a deep appreciation for art and architecture. He enjoyed going for walks, exploring new trails, and tending to his garden. He also loved learning current and history facts every day. Richard will always be remembered for his kind and caring nature, his warmth, and his sincerity. His sense of humor brought joy to those around him. Richard's presence will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A service in memory of Richard will be held on January 16, 2024, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Herndon, VA, USA. Visitation is 2:00-3:00 p.m. and service will be followed by a celebration of Richard's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Richard's memory.