Frank van Deventer, M.D., 85, died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021.
Frank was born April 23, 1936, in Kankakee, Ill., to Irene (nee Gibson) and Dr. William Carlsted van Deventer, both now deceased. He grew up in Columbia, Mo., before moving to Michigan for college.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955, from Western Michigan University. That same year he met his loving wife, Sally, at the WMU newspaper office. He continued his education at the University of Michigan where he received a Masters of Physiology degree in 1956, and graduated in 1961 from University of Michigan Medical School.
During his internship and residency, he worked for St. Joseph's Hospital in Ann Arbor, General Psychiatry Lafayette Clinic in Detroit and at Child Psychiatry Hawthorn Center in Northville. Sally was by his side through it all and they married June 20, 1959.
After his education, Frank went on to become a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1966-69, in Nurnberg, Germany. He also created his own private practice in Grosse Pointe and was on staff at St. John, Bon Secours and other local hospitals. He was the chief of psychiatry at Cottage Hospital, chief of staff at Cottage Hospital, an active member of the Michigan Psychiatric Society and was appointed to the Legislative Advisory Committee. He also was a member of the Players Club, Fine Arts Society of Detroit and Witenagemot Society of Detroit.
Frank retired from private practice in 2001, but kept busy with his beautiful garden, woodworking and volunteering at the Detroit Institute of Arts. He loved having the opportunity to travel worldwide with Sally, visiting Asia, Africa, Europe and other locations.
He was the beloved husband of Sally Marguerite (née Crow); loving father of Sarah Monahan (Kevin) and the late Matthew van Deventer; and cherished grandfather of Gavin Monahan.
A memorial service for Frank will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kids on the Go, (313) 332-1026.
Frank abs sally were our neighbors in Grosse pointe farms and the first ones to come while we were unloading our truck and moving in and they took our 3 children off for pizza. We became friends right then. Many great memories of times in their homes abs at parties. He’ll be missed. Elizabeth Dale
Dr. Van, as we called him at Cottage Hospital on 3-S, was such a decent and genuinely nice man. As an RN working with him for many years, I always knew him to be so caring and approachable to his patients. Sincerest condolences to his family. Sincerely, Suzy Mazur RN
Thank you for your friendship when we moved to Merriweather! Frank and Sally were always there to entertain our block when you moved in or on to a new place. Friendliness and graciousness that is hard to forget. Marcia and Bill Ball
Frank and Sally were the first neighbors who visited us the day our moving van moved onto merriweather road. Sally quickly gathered up my three children and took them out for pizzas . Our bound started then. We moved to florida full time after all our children had moved on and when the Vans travelled to Florida we got together for a great dinner and walk down memory lane. Frank was a dear soul and always helping neighbors with various projects. He will be missed for sure . Lewis and Elizabeth Dale
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