David Sullins DeVault III

David Sullins DeVault III, “Dee,” had a full, active life. He was a man with irrepressible energy, he communicated with gruff tenderness and was never short of irascible points expressed with a slightly hidden grin, as well as serious, well-informed opinions. He was always up for a good time; rare were the moments when he did not have a smile or joke to share.

David was born to David and Kathryn DeVault on November 9, 1947, in Amsterdam, New York. He was the oldest of four boys. During high school, David participated in Kendall High School's marching band. After graduation, he joined the Naval Reserves and later transitioned into an active-duty role as a Corpsman during the Vietnam Conflict. He would later count himself fortunate to be stationed on the island of Guam for the duration of his service. His time on Guam was a mixed bag of intense moments of caring for wounded troops, delivering babies, and exploring the island and the ocean. His experiences on the island would shape the remainder of his life. His interest in the ocean and desire to see more of the world never left him. Travel and scuba diving became lifelong passions. He would go on to record over 900 dives and visit more than 30 countries.

When his service ended, David returned home to upstate New York, where he earned an M.S. in Biology at the State University of New York. He married Kathleen DeVault (nee McCarthy) in 1972. They welcomed two children, David S. DeVault IV in 1974 and Megan R. DeVault in 1979 before their divorce in 1991.

David went on to have a career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and later the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service as a limnologist. He was proud to say that he authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications. His publications focused on contaminant trends and transport in the Great Lakes.

He married Deborah Swackhamer in 1992 and moved to Stillwater, Minnesota. For 29 years, until Deborah died in 2021, David and Deb scuba dived, traveled the world, entertained friends and family, and welcomed three grandchildren. Their travels kept leading them back to Bonaire, where they eventually purchased a home. David loved the local culture. He made valiant but admittedly failed efforts to learn the local language. Regardless, he found his place on the island.

David married for a third time in 2023 and enjoyed travels and adventures with Cynthia DeVault (nee Meyer) until his passing. Their time together was precious, and though it was cut short, they lived a beautiful life, cherishing every moment. David’s marriage to Cynthia expanded his family meaningfully as he embraced Cynthia’s adult children and their children with open arms.

David was always willing to dive in and had many voluntary pursuits over the years. On Bonaire, he and Deb volunteered for the Reef Renewal Project. They tended to and transplanted baby corals while SCUBA diving. He also loved volunteering with the “Mangrove Maniacs”, a group that worked waist-deep in brackish water to keep the groves healthy. In Stillwater, he volunteered on the St. Croix River watershed board.

David passed away at his home in Stillwater, Minnesota, on January 11, 2025, with his wife, Cynthia, his son, David, and his daughter, Megan, in attendance. True to form, he was talking, laughing, and joking right up to the end.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Swackhamer, his ex-wife Kathleen DeVault, brothers Daniel and James DeVault, and niece, Jayme Gill (nee DeVault).

David is survived by his wife, Cynthia DeVault; his son, David DeVault; David’s wife, Evelyn DeVault; their daughter, Catrina Johnson; his daughter, Megan DeVault; son-in-law Darin Phillips; their children, Kipling Phillips and Eleanor Phillips; his brother, John DeVault, four nieces and a nephew.

David is also survived by the children and grandchildren he gained from his marriage to Cynthia: stepdaughter Amanda Arndt, son-in-law Kyle Arndt; grandson Beau Arndt, stepson Henry Meyer; and daughter-in- law Noelle Meyer, grandson Redmond Meyer, grandson Merrick Meyer, grandson Hollis Meyer, stepdaughter Alyssa Meyer and son-in-law Bryce Caldwell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Deborah Swackhamer, PhD Environmental Health Sciences and Policy Scholarship at the University of Minnesota.

Donations can be made online at:

https://crowdfund.umn.edu/ind…

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