(David E. DeVol (Gamma Theta/San Diego State 1959), whose name has been almost synonymous with Theta Chi Fraternity, has joined the Chapter Eternal. Thus is ended a life which for nearly seven decades has been in substantial part devoted to the upbuilding of an organization to which he pledged allegiance in 1956 as a young student at San Diego State College. That loyalty expressed in unselfish service made him "The Grand Old Man of Theta Chi" long before 2013, when by formal resolution passed by the Grand Chapter that title was officially conferred upon him. (See formal resolution below.)

In 2013, during the reinstallation banquet of Gamma Theta Chapter at San Diego State University, the Grand Chapter recognized Brother DeVol as the "Grand Old Man of Theta Chi.” The Grand Chapter had only conferred this title of utmost respect and seniority once before, when it was given to Dr. Robert L. Irish (Alpha/Norwich 1889) in 1932. Dr. Irish had been a guiding force for Theta Chi as it became a national organization and expanded throughout the country. He had served on the Grand Chapter for 20 years and was a trusted adviser, mentor, and friend to all.

After the announcement, DeVol gave his trademark salute and approached the podium. In true, Grand fashion, his remarks were simple, humble, and took the spotlight away from himself to focus and shine brightly on the achievements of others.

“I promised not to say anything this evening, but I have to respond to that. When I joined the Fraternity, I was just 18 years old. I never thought I would be an old man or a Grand Old Man. But some of you have heard this story. I came within 15 minutes of joining another fraternity here at San Diego State. It turned out that I joined Theta Chi, and I met my wife because of Theta Chi. How different my life would have been if I had never joined Theta Chi. It's been a tremendous experience. I have known virtually all of the brothers in Gamma Theta Chapter dating back to the late 1940s - more than 1,000 young college men who entered Theta Chi through the portals of Gamma Theta Chapter. I can tell you without reservation that the group of young men we initiated today are among the very best of the men that we initiated back through the last 60+ years. I congratulate you and look forward to working with you and we're back to San Diego State!”

Dave DeVol lived his entire adult life living our Creed and truly represented the Helping Hand. May we all endeavor to follow his Grand example of leadership, mentorship, and brotherhood.

Brother DeVol was born on February 12, 1938, and raised in San Diego, CA. He was a 1955 graduate of Point Loma High School, located north and west of downtown.

DeVol matriculated to then-San Diego State College (now San Diego State University) and signed his bid with Gamma Theta Chapter. He was initiated February 4, 1956, and assigned Roster Number 212.

As a collegiate brother, DeVol served Gamma Theta Chapter as Social Chairman, Alumni Contact Chairman, and Secretary. He served on nine chapter committees, assisted with five major projects, and played on two intramural teams.

His collegiate experience in Theta Chi was marked by befriending collegiate brothers from nearby chapters as well as meeting stalwart alumnus brothers by attending key local, regional, and National Fraternity events. These true friendships and activities formed at Gamma Theta and beyond would inexorably link him to the greater Fraternity.

Among the most significant events is certainly DeVol’s appointment as Gamma Theta’s Delegate and traveling with three other brothers via car from San Diego to Norwich University in Vermont for Theta Chi’s 100th Anniversary Convention. During both legs of the cross-country road trip, DeVol stayed at and/or visited with brothers at Alpha/Norwich, Upsilon/NYU, Alpha Upsilon/Nebraska, Gamma Lambda/Denver, Gamma Tau/Drake, and Epsilon Lambda/Colorado Mines.

• National President Earl D. "Dusty" Rhodes (Delta/RPI 1921)
  
• Executive Director George Chapman (Omega/Penn State 1920)
•  Past National President and Rattle Editor George Starr Lasher (Alpha Gamma/Michigan 1911)
  
• Past National President Thomas Sears, Jr. (Beta/MIT 1932)
  
• Past National President Sherwood Blue (Alpha Iota/Indiana 1926)

In 1962, DeVol answered the call to give back and served as Regional Counselor through 1968, assisting the chapters in Southern California. In 1968 at the 112th Anniversary Convention held in Miami Beach, he was elected to the Grand Chapter and served as International Counselor until 1971. He was elected to the Grand Chapter again in 1972 at the 116th Anniversary Convention in Scottsdale, AZ, and was elected and served as International Vice President for six years. In 1978 at 122nd Anniversary Convention in Chicago, DeVol was elected International President and served through 1980. DeVol was the first Californian to be elected to Theta Chi Fraternity's highest office.

Following his time on the Grand Chapter, from 1986-1996, DeVol served on the National Board of Trustees (now the Norwich Housing Corporation) and served as its President from 1994-1996. He is currently one of nine brothers who served as both Inter/National President and President of the NBT/NHC. Brother DeVol also served as a board member on the Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.

Throughout his service on the International level, DeVol remained dedicated to his alma mater and served as President of the SDSU Alumni Association in 1987. He also served his local community as a board member (and secretary) for the San Diego County Capital Asset Leasing Corporation; as a board member for the Parkinson's Association of San Diego; and as a board member of the Challenge Center in La Mesa, CA.

He continued his high engagement and activity with his beloved Gamma Theta Chapter at San Diego State. Countless hours were spent advising and mentoring collegiate members and serving as a leader within Gamma Theta's House Corporation and the San Diego Alumni Chapter. He even found the time to make consistent trips throughout California to meet with and help alumni and collegiate brothers, as well as young men interested in bringing Theta Chi to their campus.

Brother DeVol started an annual alumni ski trip with other Gamma Theta and Zeta Epsilon alumni, which has since been named in his honor. The first group gathered in 1981 and traveled to Mammoth Mountain in California. The ongoing trip and shenanigans have continued with a returning and rotating cast of characters. The 43rd Annual International David E. DeVol Ski Trip will be held February 22-25, 2024, in Steamboat Springs, CO. Learn more at www.thetachi.org/ski.

In 2003, then-Executive Director Dave Westol created the DeVol Award, which is presented to those alumnus members who have provided the Fraternity with extra effort and dedication above and beyond what the duties of their positions required of them. The award was aptly named for a brother who always gave far more than was required.

Coming full circle, Brother DeVol's extended the Helping Hand close to home despite slowing down and continued health challenges. When a group of students emerged at a university just west and north of downtown San Diego, the Grand Old Man responded to the call for assistance from the young men of Point Loma Nazarene University. Brother DeVol attended their Colonization Ceremony in 2017 and, in 2019, he attended Kappa Mu Chapter’s Installation banquet with his daughter, Sue, an alumna of Point Loma Nazarene.

Dave DeVol was a force of nature. However, unlike a hurricane, tornado, or a California earthquake, his actions and conversations were never forceful, explosive, or uncontrolled. Instead, they were thought provoking. Simple. Considerate. Well communicated. Earnest. He did not bend others to his will but simply and effectively communicated with others, regardless of age, and helped them on life's journey.

He took many under his wing and provided mentorship, words of wisdom, or a quick quip with a sly smile. He made it clear there was a time to be serious and a time to have fun as he provided guidance to Theta Chi’s leaders, both collegiate and alumni. Whether a brother served as Chapter President or as a volunteer at the local, regional, or International level, brothers knew they had a sounding board in Brother DeVol. Indeed, all of Theta Chi Fraternity’s living brothers who served as a current or past International President, Executive Director/CEO, President of the NBT/Norwich Housing Corporation, Presidents of the Foundation Chapter and Theta Chi Funds – all were mentored by Dave DeVol. For the past 50+ years, the Fraternity’s top leaders sought sound advice and counsel from Brother DeVol and were never led astray.

Undoubtedly, one of Brother DeVol’s biggest strengths was leadership. He clearly understood that to be an effective leader, one had to have followers. In order to gain the trust of the followers, a leader must provide an example and show the way. Most importantly, a leader is often called to go above and beyond what is required, and a true leader, a Resolute Man, will answer the call. Leaders must also build relationships with followers. Whether that’s through communication, invitations, or a friendly smile, it can make all the difference in the world. A leader who knows his followers – and is known by his followers – and maintains those relationships can complete any task. Finally, a good leader will challenge his followers to follow his example and to do more – and will be on the lookout for new and talented individuals to cultivate and mentor to become the next leader.

Thus is the essence of Dave DeVol, our Grand Old Man. A man who was always willing to give more. Do more. A man who was always on the lookout. Always helping us to see the best within us. Always helping us reach our true potential.

He was generational. He was our link to the titans of Theta Chi’s past and consistently forged the links for Theta Chi’s future. His amazing and beneficial Theta Chi experience at San Diego State led to a lifetime of volunteering and creating true friendships. His amazing and beneficial Theta Chi experience as an alumnus led to a lifetime of others volunteering and creating true friendships. Dave DeVol helped us all to keep faith with our past, make good decisions in the present, and become a force for good in the future.

His keen thinking and his sure counsel did much to build Theta Chi into the structure it is today. Just as then-Executive Secretary Al Aldridge so aptly said about Dr. Robert L. Irish, we say the same of David E. DeVol:. "Now that he is united with Freeman and Chase he can render to our Founders a report of his stewardship which any Theta Chi properly may envy."

And now he is at peace. But he lives in the hearts and in the lives of those who wear the Badge of the crossed swords and the serpent. He never can be forgotten. No organization such as ours possibly could have bestowed a more meaningful title than "The Grand Old Man of Theta Chi."

The Fraternity will share information and details regarding Brother DeVol’s funeral arrangements on this article as they become available. Please hit refresh to update the page.

We are compiling stories and memories of Brother DeVol. Please send your messages, stories, and/or photos to Chief Communications Officer Ben Hill at ben@thetachi.org. As they are compiled we will provide a link within this story to access them.

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 DeVol memorial photo album!