Monthly Archives: February 2020

Alex Devience

Professor Emeritus Alex Devience, a management faculty member at DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business for 45 years, died on June 13.

An extraordinarily dedicated teacher and mentor, Devience inspired generations of business students and generously guided colleagues. An attorney as well as a professor, Devience taught business law and other subjects at DePaul, and he continued to teach through spring quarter of this year.

“Alex always had a story, joke or interesting anecdote he would drop by and share,” says Lisa Gundry, chair of the Department of Management & Entrepreneurship. “At our department meetings, he was known as the master of Robert’s Rules, and always kept us on track. He was brilliant in the law, and at teaching business law, and made such a positive impact on students who chose to continue their careers in law.”

Jim Staruck (BUS ’65), an assistant professor in the department and fellow attorney, was among those Devience guided. “I’ve known Alex for over 40 years,” he says. “He had the most wry sense of humor, always had a smile, and was an excellent advisor to me.”

Sam Manella (BUS ’81. JD ’85), a clinical professor and Devience’s colleague at the business college, remembers Devience for his love of the law. “Many times we spoke about ethical issues in the law, which is my specialty, and he had so much to offer. He was a very smart man.”

“He had a great rapport with his students,” Manella added. “Many of them who subsequently had a class with me spoke highly of Alex to me. He will be missed.”

Devience is survived by his wife, Arlene, of 59 years; his ward, Mark, and 11 nieces and nephews. Services were private, with interment at Town of Maine Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Alex’s name. To read more, visit OehlerFuneralHome.

By Kathy Hillegonds and Robin Florzak

Professor Emeritus Robert O’Keefe

Professor Emeritus Robert O’Keefe, a marketing faculty member for 40 years, passed away at age 84 on Feb. 11, 2020.

O’Keefe taught principles of marketing and other marketing courses to generations of business students during his four decades at DePaul. He served as an associate dean and director of DePaul’s graduate business school, where he spearheaded the development of the weekend and full-time MBA programs. Numerous university committees throughout DePaul also benefited from his active participation.

A highly regarded professor and prolific researcher, O’Keefe frequently reached out to junior faculty members to collaborate on papers for publication.

“Bob was the ‘grandfather’ of our department,” says Steve Koernig (MBA ’94), chair of the Department of Marketing. “He was a mentor that cannot be replaced. He worked with numerous faulty members on research projects, and helped junior and senior faculty succeed throughout the tenure and promotion process.

“On a personal note, his wisdom and institutional knowledge was instrumental in helping me as I moved into the department chair role,” Koernig added. “He will be greatly missed.”

O’Keefe was named a St. Vincent de Paul Professor in 2004 to honor his commitment to teaching and productive scholarship, and he won several annual teaching awards from the college and university during his tenure. DePaul recognized his research achievements by presenting him with its Spirit of Inquiry Award in 2015. Upon his retirement that year, DePaul also gave O’Keefe its highest honor, the Via Sapientiae Award, to recognize his many contributions to the university.

The award citation noted that O’Keefe inspired scores of students to become marketers. “In your exemplary career at DePaul,” it said, “you demonstrated how a professor can balance rigorous academic scholarship with a strong dedication to teaching and university service.”

Services were held for O’Keefe on Feb. 17, 2020. Click here to share memories.

By Robin Florzak