Van Melvin Davis

Dr. Van Melvin Davis passed away on April 29, 2012, in the arms of his wife and the hearts of his daughter, his sister and so many others. He was 68. Van was born to Melvin Lloyd Davis and Phyllis Johnson Davis on Sept. 6, 1943, in Winterset in Madison County, Iowa (home of the famous covered bridges and birthplace of John Wayne). With his sister, Jan, he grew up in the small town of St. Charles, Iowa. He graduated from St. Charles High School, lettering in basketball, even though he once scored a basket for the opposing team. Van received his BA in history in 1965 from Simpson College in Iowa. From 1965-1967, he studied at Christ Church of the University of Oxford in England, receiving his BA and MA from Oxford in 1967 and 1971, respectively. Van continued his studies at the University of Virginia, achieving his Ph.D. in American History in 1972. His dissertation on the ideology of the Northern Democracy during the Civil War and Reconstruction resides in the stacks of 14 libraries across the nation, including the Harvard University Library and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Van's proudest achievement was teaching history and political science at National Park Community College for nearly 38 years. He was an inspiring professor with a passion for all of the subjects he taught, most especially the Civil War and Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. He challenged his students daily and never hesitated to share his true feelings on the subject at hand. He also cared for his students deeply and shared joy in their successes as scholars and human beings. With his familiar beard and long, lanky legs, many Hot Springs residents will remember seeing him running around Whittington Park and other Hot Springs roadways. He tackled over 60 marathons, including five times finishing the Boston Marathon and eight times defeating Pikes Peak. Van was also a dear friend to animals, often taking in strays, caring for the pets of sick friends and rescuing puppies from mills. He was a diehard Dodgers fan (even though they brought him much heartbreak!) and a lover of trains, bluegrass and rock music, good books, Cool Whip, jelly beans and (last but not least) frosty mugs of beer. More than anything, though, Van was a thoughtful, loving, funny and proud husband and father. Along with Charlotte, he was a shockingly good dancer, and the once-titleholder for Polka at Hot Springs Oktoberfest. He also had an incredibly witty and wry sense of humor, coupled with the most infectious laugh anyone has ever heard. He shared many a laugh and a dance with Charlotte and Erin, and they will miss those moments more than any other. Van was preceded in death by his father, mother, and beloved dogs, Putsch, Mr. Faulkner, Genevieve and Sylvia. He will be remembered with great joy and copious laughter by his wife of 27 years, Charlotte Veazey Davis of Hot Springs; his daughter, Erin Davis Shedd (David Shedd) of Columbus, Ohio; his sister, Jan Rambow (Phillip Rambow) of Overland Park, Kan.; his granddaughter, Liliana (to whom he was Poppy); and his many loving brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. He will also be dearly missed by his dogs, Sophie and Josephine. Memorial service pallbearers include Arthur Kerns, Jim Olmedo, Roger Fox, Tony Rachilla, Kevin Hunt, Phil Rambow, Davis Shedd , Ralph Ohm and Martin White. Honorary pallbearers include the staff of Arkansas Hospice, Mercy Health Center, and ICU; Dr. Nizar Suleman, Dr. Fred Divers, and the thousands of students he taught over the years. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Dr. Davis will be held at National Park Community College Dierks Auditorium on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 3. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Dr. Van M. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund at National Park Community College. Friends and family will gather at 145 Pretti Point in Hot Springs following the memorial service and reception. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.