Clyde R. Davenport

Clyde R. Davenport, 96, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Lowell General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Esther (Lafond) Davenport with whom he shared 75 years of marriage.

He was born in Boston on March 30, 1930, and was the son of the late Robert W. and Phyllis (O'Brien) Davenport.

Clyde, known as Bob to his family, spent his youth first in Worcester then Canton and finally Dartmouth Massachusetts, the town which forever held his heart. After graduating from Dartmouth High School he joined the Navy where he spent the remainder of the Korean War aboard the USS Cambria. In 1951, while on leave, he would marry his high school sweetheart Esther. After the War Bob enrolled in the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. While in Amherst his first two children were born. From there, the family moved to Connecticut where he earned a Master's Degree at Wesleyan University. A life long teacher, he began his career in Wilbraham then on to Lexington H.S. where he became the Social Studies Department Head. In 1964 he would take a sabbatical to attend Columbia University in New York City in pursuit of his PHD. While there a third child was welcomed into the family. In 1965 Bob and Esther moved their family to Chelmsford, Massachusetts where he would spend the rest of his life. In Chelmsford the last of his four children was born or as he referred to her " His Caboose Child". In addition to his responsibilities in Lexington Bob taught at both Brandeis University and Harvard Divinity where he created a program for teaching students called "Teaching as an alternative Ministry". In addition to teaching he would work for the State Education Board evaluating different high schools and colleges. One of his favorite jobs was to bring student groups to Pueblo, Mexico where they would be immersed in Mexican culture. He came home with many new recipes for the family to try. He was a wonderful and adventurous cook which was only one of his many interest and hobbies. He loved working with wood, painting, entomology, ornithology, and horticulture, growing both vegetables and beautiful ornamentals. Bob made everyone he met feel welcome. His off-beat sense of humor is legendary amongst all who knew him.

In addition to his loving wife, Clyde leaves his children, Kim Hill Davenport of Chelmsford, Jennifer O'Loughlin and husband Paul of Tewksbury, and Abigail Davenport Verre and husband Jeffrey of Pepperell; his grandchildren, Megan Nelson and husband Adam, Nathan O'Loughlin and wife Tara, John Griffin, Haley Verre, and Hannah Verre and Emily Verre; and his great grandchildren, Liam O'Loughlin, Alaina Nelson, Finn O'Loughlin, Tate O'Loughlin, Jack Nelson, Katrina Griffin and Gabriella Griffin. He also leaves many treasured nieces and nephews.

Sadly, he was predeceased by his daughter Rebecca Davenport; his parents and his sister Diane Gaspar.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest making a donation to the Mass Audubon Society https://www.massaudubon.org/.

His funeral service will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 2:30 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Billerica Rd. CHELMSFORD. Kindly gather at the church. Interment will be held privately.