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KENT Mourns the Loss of O.B. Davis ’42
By Kelsey Kephart, courtesy of Kent News |
On October 26th, 2009, Kent School mourned the loss of one of its most beloved faculty members, Otis Benson Davis. For six decades, Mr. Davis devoted himself to being, for so many people, a teacher as well as a mentor. As we looking back on his career, it is clear that he has made lifelong impacts not only on those here at Kent but also on others around the country.
In the seven years that succeeded his 1942 graduation from Kent, Mr. Davis received his Bachelors degree from Princeton, received a Masters degree from John’s Hopkins University and served in World War II. Returning to campus in 1949, he coached the football, crew and varsity wrestling team and served as the Chair of the English department for 35 years, which he described fondly as “the best job to have at Kent.”
Before retiring from classroom teaching in 2006, Mr. Davis taught Advanced Placement English for many years. His zeal for literature instilled inspiration that remained with many whom he taught. As Professor Libby Gruner ’78 stated in her online blog, “I can't say for sure that I'm an English professor because O.B. was my teacher, but I know he was a part of what made me choose the path I did.” Harvard Professor Leo Damrosch ’59, also credits Mr. Davis with influencing his decision to enter academia: “He was the best teacher I ever had in my life, anywhere – and I have degrees from Yale, Cambridge, and Princeton. His sixth-form English class set me on the road to becoming a teacher and scholar of literature, and his way of posing generous yet demanding questions has always been a model for what I would want my own teaching to be like. I especially remember that he slyly assigned readings that were deeply skeptical about boarding school life. Back in the 1950’s O.B. was a rock of a man, bursting with energy and strength, and it was impossible to imagine that he could ever grow weak, let alone be mortal. Fifty years later, it’s still hard to accept that he’s gone.”
A true intellectual, Mr. Davis was known for his ability to recite verse after verse of poetry with ease. His love for literature even extended to his fondness for Harry Potter books. “Mr. Davis appreciated great works, but he looked at others in the spirit in which they were written and was able to play along,” says Mr. Hinman. In keeping with his passion for teaching, Mr. Davis published several books, including Introduction to Biblical Literature, and co-authored The Idea of Man, which was used in his own AP class. Mrs. Beattie, a colleague of Mr. Davis for many years describes him as “a scholar, a storehouse of knowledge about literature, an avid reader of mystery novels, and a Kent historian without peer.”
In the town of Kent, Mr. Davis served as a member of the School Board, the Zoning Committee, and the Lion’s Club. St. Andrew’s parish also held a special place in his heart. There he became senior warden and was a member of the vestry. Mr. Davis’s generosity was present not just on our campus, but throughout the entire town. He was not only a teacher in the sense of academics but a teacher in the sense that he was a role model.
The contribution that Mr. Davis made to the education and development of students has made an enormous impact on generations of people. “He taught us how to read critically and to write; he really taught us how to think. This is the true gift that a teacher gives a student,” reflected Father Schell. His active role in the 60 years he resided here helped make Kent a truly great place.
The outpourings of love and support from all corners of the country reflect how much of an impact Mr. Davis has made during his 85 years. O.B. Davis’s presence will forever be felt throughout the campus on which he resided for over half a century. In the words of Mrs. Beattie, “For Kent, this is the end of an era.
