Robert’s Obituary Newfields, NH – Robert Joseph Devantery, 74, of Newfields, New Hampshire, and more recently of South Berwick, Maine, where he moved with his wife Nina to be with their daughter Heidi, her husband Paul, and family Ben and Emmarose, passed May 11, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Rob, also referred to as “Bob,” and as “BobBob” by his grandchildren, was born to Virginia and Herbert Devantery in 1945 at the Jamaica Hospital, Queens, New York. In his youth, Rob grew up roaming the woods of Salisbury, Connecticut with his younger brother, Jim.
As a teen and through his college years, he worked summers as a lifeguard at Lake Wononskopomuc, known as Lakeville Lake. He attended New York Military Academy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, and then went on to graduate from the University of New Hampshire with his degree in Mechanical Engineering. Rob always had a yearning to teach, so he went back to UNH to acquire his Masters Degree in 1970 and upon graduating he moved to Henniker, NH where he became the entire math department of the small school which he loved.
While there, his enthusiasm for teaching and love of nature combined into the creation of the Outing Club. He led many trips with students culminating with a month-long adventure across the country. Rob also met the love of his life in Henniker, Nina Richardson Carroll.
In 1978 they moved to Newfields, NH where they were married in the backyard of their antique farmhouse. Rob being a master carpenter renovated their home of 40 plus years. Rob and Nina not only taught together, they also ran a framing business, Devantery Frames, as well as created a homestead, helping many friends and family members during life transitions.
For the next 25 years, Rob taught math and physics at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton NH. He was a beloved teacher whose humor, creativity and belief in his students inspired them to new heights. While at Winnacunnet he spent several years as chairman of the Science Department and won many prestigious awards for teaching, including the National Presidential Award for Physics Education presented personally by the President of the United States.
Rob was also awarded the Tandy Technology Scholars Award for Physics. In addition, he was an active member of the New Hampshire Association of Science Teachers and a presenter at the State Science Convention for many years. Rob was passionate about his time with students and was actively involved for many years in leading Student Council.
He directed Student Council locally and nationally and led his students on national conference trips across the country. Rob was known for his warmth, generosity, exuberant spirit and great sense of humor. He was an avid boater and camper and throughout the summer months he and his beloved wife Nina traveled extensively by both land and water.
He loved technology and became an early “blogger” of sorts by documenting their travels with photos and commentary on a daily basis. He was also an expert framer since 1977 who was meticulous in his work. As a member of the Exeter Congregational Church, Rob held nearly every single leadership position within his church community.
He was a representative of the Board of Rockingham County United Church of Christ, and a Justice of the Peace, performing wedding ceremonies for many people. Rob could also knit, and did so alongside the women in the church, knitting shawls for people in need. Rob is survived by his wife Nina, daughters Katrina Daigle (Robert), and Heidi Schule (Paul Lewis), son Hans Schule (Kimm) and six grandchildren, Lukas Daigle, Katelyn Souphakhot (J.J.), Riley Schule, Brielle Schule, Benjamin Taylor and Emmarose Taylor, great grandson Rylan Souphakhot, nieces Phyllis Fitzimmons (Tyler), and Sarah Luce, and nephews Timothy Luce (Carol) and Alden “Skip” Smith.
Rob is also survived by his brother and best friend, James Devantery (Helen). Rob is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Virginia Devantery, of Lakeville, Connecticut. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019, 1 p.m., at Exeter Congregational Church.
A time of visitation will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019, 5-7 p.m., at Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter Road (Route 108), Newmarket, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made at Winnacunnetdollarsforscholars.org, please specify “Bob Devantery Scholarship” at the Donate Now link. Visit www.
kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guestbook.
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