Richard “Dick” Granville Davis, 83, passed away on August 26, 2021 at The Heritage of Overland Park, Kansas, in the company of his daughter, grandson and loyal cat, after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Richard was born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana on June 21st, 1938 to Ruby and Edwin Davis. The family eventually settled in Houston where Richard attended San Jacinto High School, graduating in May of 1956. During high school he participated in the Houston Reserve Officer Training Corps and earned high honors for his technical skills and dedication.
Immediately after high school Richard embarked on his career with the Navy at only 17 years of age and served his country from 1956 to 1967. After intensive and extended electronics training as an enlisted man, he was commissioned as a naval officer upon graduation from Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a BS in Applied Psychology in 1962. At sea, he served on the Guided Missile Destroyer Robison and Guided Missile Cruiser Columbus where he commanded anti-submarine and anti-aircraft missile defenses on both ships. In addition, he did a stint as a Navigator on a Pacific Fleet Flag Ship (carrying the Command Fleet Admiral), the youngest officer to do so at that time.
Upon completion of service to his country, he attended Vanderbilt University and earned a PhD in Experimental Physiological Psychology in 1971. He then became a Professor of Psychology for three years at the University of Northern Iowa. In 1973 he became a Research Scientist, conducting research on the sense of smell at the Veterans Administration while still teaching Psychology at accompanying Universities. His career at the VA spanned from 1973 to 1989, during which he was a force for developing good healthcare options for veterans. He became a pioneer in patient information management, contributing to the development of the first integrated health information system for the VA successfully installed at 172 hospitals in support of the nation’s veterans.
There were many significant accomplishments, but one that stood out, given the disease that eventually became his greatest struggle, was in 1984 while at the VA Medical Center in Lexington, KY he worked with the Alzheimer’s Research Group at the University of Kentucky. His work on the project helped fund a 1.3-million-dollar grant that included funding for a computer system to assist in the research of Alzheimer’s disease. The project provided the VA and the University national visibility and credibility at that time.
Richard was a man of many interests, hobbies and uh, well, words. He could expound endlessly like an expert on any subject to an audience of 1 or 1,000. Ham Radio, remote control model airplanes, photography, videography, woodworking, woodturning, community theater and anything computer related were some of his favorite pastimes. He excelled at all of them, fully investing himself in each interest until he mastered it and the next challenge caught his eye. One such diversion was Astronomy. He became a very experienced astronomer, even discovering three asteroids that are now registered with NASA.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin O. and Ruby I. Davis and his ex-wife, Sandra J. Middleton, mother of his children. He is survived by his brother John E. Davis and his wife Patricia, sister Jill L. Davis, former wife and long-time best friend Dianne B. Davis, his son Scott G. Davis and his wife Angie, his daughter and devoted caregiver Erin M. Crapser and her husband Will. He will be greatly missed by his 5 surviving grandchildren, Christina I. Munford, Kirill M. Zhurauliou, Morgan G. Crapser, Ethan W. Crapser and his namesake Logan Davis Crapser who along with Erin was at his bedside when he passed.
Many thanks to the Heritage of Overland Park for their tireless care and attention to Richard in his last months of life. Also, to Ascend Hospice of Overland Park, KS for their amazing devotion to the care of loved ones at such a difficult time. No public funeral is planned.
Richard loved animals, especially cats. He would take care of any stray cat that showed up, feeding them, naming them and loving them. Those wishing to honor the life of Richard can make a donation to the Greater Plains SPCA, 5424 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66062.
Richard was born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana on June 21st, 1938 to Ruby and Edwin Davis. The family eventually settled in Houston where Richard attended San Jacinto High School, graduating in May of 1956. During high school he participated in the Houston Reserve Officer Training Corps and earned high honors for his technical skills and dedication.
Immediately after high school Richard embarked on his career with the Navy at only 17 years of age and served his country from 1956 to 1967. After intensive and extended electronics training as an enlisted man, he was commissioned as a naval officer upon graduation from Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a BS in Applied Psychology in 1962. At sea, he served on the Guided Missile Destroyer Robison and Guided Missile Cruiser Columbus where he commanded anti-submarine and anti-aircraft missile defenses on both ships. In addition, he did a stint as a Navigator on a Pacific Fleet Flag Ship (carrying the Command Fleet Admiral), the youngest officer to do so at that time.
Upon completion of service to his country, he attended Vanderbilt University and earned a PhD in Experimental Physiological Psychology in 1971. He then became a Professor of Psychology for three years at the University of Northern Iowa. In 1973 he became a Research Scientist, conducting research on the sense of smell at the Veterans Administration while still teaching Psychology at accompanying Universities. His career at the VA spanned from 1973 to 1989, during which he was a force for developing good healthcare options for veterans. He became a pioneer in patient information management, contributing to the development of the first integrated health information system for the VA successfully installed at 172 hospitals in support of the nation’s veterans.
There were many significant accomplishments, but one that stood out, given the disease that eventually became his greatest struggle, was in 1984 while at the VA Medical Center in Lexington, KY he worked with the Alzheimer’s Research Group at the University of Kentucky. His work on the project helped fund a 1.3-million-dollar grant that included funding for a computer system to assist in the research of Alzheimer’s disease. The project provided the VA and the University national visibility and credibility at that time.
Richard was a man of many interests, hobbies and uh, well, words. He could expound endlessly like an expert on any subject to an audience of 1 or 1,000. Ham Radio, remote control model airplanes, photography, videography, woodworking, woodturning, community theater and anything computer related were some of his favorite pastimes. He excelled at all of them, fully investing himself in each interest until he mastered it and the next challenge caught his eye. One such diversion was Astronomy. He became a very experienced astronomer, even discovering three asteroids that are now registered with NASA.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin O. and Ruby I. Davis and his ex-wife, Sandra J. Middleton, mother of his children. He is survived by his brother John E. Davis and his wife Patricia, sister Jill L. Davis, former wife and long-time best friend Dianne B. Davis, his son Scott G. Davis and his wife Angie, his daughter and devoted caregiver Erin M. Crapser and her husband Will. He will be greatly missed by his 5 surviving grandchildren, Christina I. Munford, Kirill M. Zhurauliou, Morgan G. Crapser, Ethan W. Crapser and his namesake Logan Davis Crapser who along with Erin was at his bedside when he passed.
Many thanks to the Heritage of Overland Park for their tireless care and attention to Richard in his last months of life. Also, to Ascend Hospice of Overland Park, KS for their amazing devotion to the care of loved ones at such a difficult time. No public funeral is planned.
Richard loved animals, especially cats. He would take care of any stray cat that showed up, feeding them, naming them and loving them. Those wishing to honor the life of Richard can make a donation to the Greater Plains SPCA, 5424 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66062.
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