ORONO — Four generations of the Davee Family, of Camden, were honored April 5 at UMaine in Orono as the UMaine Alumni Association bestowed its Fogler Legacy Award on them.

The Davee Family has forged paths in engineering and other fields, and become engaged members of the University of Maine community well beyond graduation, the association noted, in the presentation.

The family’s connection began with Everett W. Davee, who taught mechanical engineering on campus for many years until his retirement in 1940. While Everett was not a University of Maine graduate, his son, Lawrence, ’22, and daughter Pauline, ’39, earned degrees at the university and married UMaine alumni.

Pauline and her husband, George Hitchings ’37, had two daughters, Marion ’65 and Diane ’75, who also attended UMaine.

Lawrence, who married Muriel Goodrich Davee, ’22, worked at Fox Films, and later became president of Century Projection Corporation in New York City. Throughout his career he received numerous awards for technological advances in motion pictures. In 1976, 54 years after graduating from UMaine, his alma mater recognized him with an honorary doctorate.

Lawrence and Muriel’s sons, James, ’50, and Robert, ’59, continued the family’s Black Bear tradition. Both earned degrees in mechanical engineering and worked out of state, though Bob later returned to Maine and assumed ownership of Maine Coast Construction.  

Grandchildren solidified the connection when Richard “Rick” Davee, ’79, Michael, ’80, and John S. Davee, ’81, earned their degrees from the University of Maine. All three studied engineering and currently work in that field in Maine.

Rick’s wife, Anne-Marie Gallant Davee, ’77, ’88G, and Michael’s wife, Lisa ’92G, also earned degrees at UMaine.

The fourth generation of graduates, the great-grandchildren of Lawrence and Muriel Davee, are Sarah Davee Sawyer, ’09, married to Matt Sawyer, ’10, and Jake N. Davee, ’19.

Adding to the total are future alumni, current students Jake, ’19, and Molly Davee, ’20. Sarah and Matt’s young daughter, Sophie, is expected to become part of the fifth generation Davee to join the Black Bear family when she graduates from UMaine in 2040 or so.

Founded in 1874, the Maine Alumni Association is an independent nonprofit dedicated to advancing the best interests of UMaine and its former, current, and future students.

 

The Fogler Legacy Award recognizes a family with at least three generations of UMaine graduates; at least 2 family members must have a record of outstanding service to their alma mater, the Alumni Association, their community, and/or their profession.

 

Their award was sponsored this year by Hammond Lumber Company.

 

More information, including information to nominate an individual can be found here: https://www.umainealumni.com/alumni-achievement-awards/.