E.H. Hunter Davis

Dr. Ernest Howard Hunter Davis, also known simply as Hunter Davis, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 31,1924 and died in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 28, 2006.

He served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant in World War II. He earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D from the University of Pennsylvania. He was on the All-American Soccer Team in 1942. He taught freshmen level English at Kent State University and was an associate professor of English at Davis & Elkins College from 1959 to 1969. He started the soccer team at D&E and was presented with a life time achievement award from Davis & Elkins Alumni Soccer Council in 2001. He also served as an adviser to a campus literary magazine and a campus fraternity at D&E. He then taught English at Slippery Rock University for 34 years from 1969 to 2004, where he supervised the establishment of the Writing Center and was coordinator of freshman English and advisor to the rugby team. Hunter Davis was active in the Elkins Community Theater that later became known as The Old Brick Playhouse. He was an enthusiastic member of the Polecats. His message was, “Don’t worry, be happy, enjoy life.”

Hunter is lovingly remembered by his six children, in birth order, Louisa Rise of Goshen, Ohio, Sydney Davis of Santa Fe, N.M., Katy McClane of Dubai, UAE and Elkins, Virginia Evan Davis of Lilburn, Ga., Nate Davis of Elkins and Hunter Davis of Slippery Rock, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Deborah McCall Spooner, mother of Louisa and Sydney.

He is survived by his second wife, Joan Crawford, mother of Katy, Evan, Nate and Hunter; and third wife, Pamela Segula Davis. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.

A memorial/wake is planned for Dr. E.H. Hunter Davis at Raven Ring Island, Gladwin on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m.  From 21 Nov 2006.