Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

September/October, 2000

Larry DeVantier Retires from Illinois DDS by Judy Nesbitt, IADE President THE ILLINOIS DDS ALONG WITH the Illinois Association of Disability Examiners bid farewell to Larry DeVantier on December 30, 1999 as he ended his long career as Supervisor at the DDS. No one forgets his hiring date and that includes Larry, who reported to work on December 18, 1972 as a fledgling adjudicator trainee. After many months of classroom work, he was promoted to Adjudicator I to begin his work on Initial decisions. He graduated to an Adjudicator II on March 16, 1974 and with his knowledge moved on to Quality Assurance Unit on July 16, 1976. Larry became a Unit Supervisor in February 1978 and continued in this position until his retirement on December 31, 1999. Larry with his wife and two other DDS/IADE members, were congratulated and envied by the fellow workers at an All Agency Reception on December 30, 1999. Bill Hosking, another Unit Supervisor, and Larry Grammer , a specialist, have also been IADE/NADE members for many years. The IADE president presented a certificate of appreciation to each of the retirees. In addition to the agency party, a private gathering was held for Larry by his Section Chief, members of his unit and other invited guests. Well-known for his strict adherence to “on-time” policy for his unit staff, Larry was roasted in an “on-time” manner by a member of his unit. What was not timely was the desert. IADE recounted Larry stories presented by IADE President Judy Nesbitt and Great Lakes Regional President Jane Bradley. IADE compiled stories and letters from his many NADE friends across the country, and a scrapbook was filled with replies and pictures given to Larry that night. It is well known that Larry has served on many State and Regional committees, as well as having served as IADE President and as NADE president. He continues to serve NADE as the current NADE Constitution and By-laws Chairperson. Larry was presented one last time with a gavel to remember the many dedicated years of service to NADE and IADE. To Larry, we say that there comes a time in everyone’s life to conclude what “should be” done and move on to following your dreams. A sailor in the US Navy for six years, Larry DeVantier has returned to the water in his new retirement home on Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri where he can fish and golf forever. However, he will always be available for NADE and we wish him good luck at the NADE conference this September in Puerto Rico.