Richard Devers
July 27, 1945 - September 07, 2025
Obituary
Richard A. Devers, 80, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, at Sheffield Bay, Bay City, MI, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 27, 1945, to Melvin C. and E. Louise (Johnson) Devers, in Saginaw, MI.
He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Janis Elliott, on August 6, 1966, and they recently celebrated 59 years of marriage.
Richard graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1963. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute in 1968. While working full time and helping to raise his family, he earned his Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1973.
He was employed by Saginaw Steering Gear, which later became Delphi Automotive, from 1963 until his retirement in 2007. In 1981 he was transferred to El Puerto de Santa Maria (Cadiz) Spain for three years, which was a wonderful experience for the whole family.
Richard was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers for several years and was Chairman of the SAE Driveline Standards Committee for ten years. He was a Registered Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Michigan. He was certified as a Quality Engineer by the American Society for Quality Control, and was inducted into the Delphi Innovation Hall of Fame, having been granted several patents.
Richard enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, and doing puzzles, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He rarely missed a sporting event, play, dance recital or school event. He also enjoyed being involved with the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society, helping his buddies build a boat, being on the Board of the SSG Alumni Association, the monthly breakfast with the S. Linwood Beach guys, and bike riding with "The Posse".
Surviving Richard are his wife, Janis, their three daughters: Pari (Dr. Matthew) Waack; Penny (David) Mullin; Patricia (Timothy) Winters; his grandchildren: Anna (Michael) Ronayne; Dr. Andrew (fiancee' Sarah Juggernauth) Waack; Emma Waack; Ryan Mullin; Kathryn Mullin; Elliott Winters; Honor Winters; brother J. Robert Devers; sisters-in-law Barbara Devers, Cheryl LaFountaine and Pamela Elliott; and several nieces and nephews,
Richard was predeceased by his parents; in-laws Howard and Iris Elliott; brothers Melvin W. Devers and A. James Devers; sister Susan Jeruski; brother-in-law Joe Jeruski; sister-in-law Judith Devers; and niece Janet Devers.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 12:00 p.m, at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Center.
A special thank you to the Harmony Hall staff at Sheffield Bay and Amara Hospice for their comfort
and care.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Janis Elliott, on August 6, 1966, and they recently celebrated 59 years of marriage.
Richard graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1963. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute in 1968. While working full time and helping to raise his family, he earned his Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1973.
He was employed by Saginaw Steering Gear, which later became Delphi Automotive, from 1963 until his retirement in 2007. In 1981 he was transferred to El Puerto de Santa Maria (Cadiz) Spain for three years, which was a wonderful experience for the whole family.
Richard was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers for several years and was Chairman of the SAE Driveline Standards Committee for ten years. He was a Registered Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Michigan. He was certified as a Quality Engineer by the American Society for Quality Control, and was inducted into the Delphi Innovation Hall of Fame, having been granted several patents.
Richard enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, and doing puzzles, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He rarely missed a sporting event, play, dance recital or school event. He also enjoyed being involved with the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society, helping his buddies build a boat, being on the Board of the SSG Alumni Association, the monthly breakfast with the S. Linwood Beach guys, and bike riding with "The Posse".
Surviving Richard are his wife, Janis, their three daughters: Pari (Dr. Matthew) Waack; Penny (David) Mullin; Patricia (Timothy) Winters; his grandchildren: Anna (Michael) Ronayne; Dr. Andrew (fiancee' Sarah Juggernauth) Waack; Emma Waack; Ryan Mullin; Kathryn Mullin; Elliott Winters; Honor Winters; brother J. Robert Devers; sisters-in-law Barbara Devers, Cheryl LaFountaine and Pamela Elliott; and several nieces and nephews,
Richard was predeceased by his parents; in-laws Howard and Iris Elliott; brothers Melvin W. Devers and A. James Devers; sister Susan Jeruski; brother-in-law Joe Jeruski; sister-in-law Judith Devers; and niece Janet Devers.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 12:00 p.m, at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Center.
A special thank you to the Harmony Hall staff at Sheffield Bay and Amara Hospice for their comfort
and care.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
PG
Penny Grew
Other •
Sending our love and condolences to Jan and their entire family. May God Bless you and keep you.
Your friends,
Penny and Joe
BW
Beth Wagner
Other •
Our thoughts are with you and your family at your time of loss. I treasure a photograph Uncle Dick sent me of him holding me when I was a few days old. He was 12 years old. So many memories, may they bring you joy. Beth & Lew Wagner
BW
Beth W.
Other •
Beth W. planted a Memorial Tree in honor of Richard A. Devers.
TF
The Bahling Family
Other •
The Bahling Family purchased the Multicolor Bright Sympathy Floor Basket for the family of Richard A. Devers.
GS
Greg Szafranski
Other •
Sorry for your loss. I have a good memory of Dick teaching me how to use a computer over at your house. I will be thinking of your family during this hard time.
Greg Szafranski
JS
Jeff Szafranski
Other •
Sorry for the loss of Dick. I have good memories growing up next door to your family. Hope your family finds peace during this time.