During his three decades of coaching and teaching physical-education classes at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Ronald Rodney Davitt gained a deep appreciation for all types of students. Family members said he tried to focus on the talents of each one, whether it was in academics, sports or an extracurricular activity.
“He was a kind, patient man who understood that not every child is a natural athlete,” said his ex-wife, Nancy. “He saw his students as individuals, each with a specific set of strengths and weaknesses, that he needed to highlight and nurture to boost their self-confidence.”
One of his students was Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who in her sophomore year took a dancing class taught by Mr. Davitt.
“According to Ron, she wasn’t the best athlete, but a true brain,” his former wife said. “She was smart as they come, and not a bad dancer either.”
Mr. Davitt, 66, of Palatine, formerly of Des Plaines, a former teacher, coach and athletic director at Maine East for 30 years, died of complications from the flu Thursday, Dec. 18, in his home.
Born and raised in Gary, Mr. Davitt was a graduate of Mann High School and a member of the swim team, which in his junior year placed first in the state in the medley relay. Mr. Davitt later earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Indiana University in Bloomington.
After a year working as a swimming instructor at the University of California at Berkeley, he returned to Bloomington and received his master’s degree in physical education. He and his wife married in 1958 and divorced in 1976.
In 1962, Mr. Davitt moved with his family to Des Plaines to begin his career at Maine East, coaching swimmers and teaching physical education. During the summers, he worked as a swim pro at Park Ridge Country Club.
“He was a very popular coach and teacher who everybody seemed to like,” said his daughter, Rhonda Archer, a Maine East graduate. “His style was very laid-back, but he wasn’t a pushover. As long as his students put forth the effort, he’d grade them each on their individual merits.”
In 1985, Mr. Davitt became the athletic director at Maine East but stepped down three years later because of health problems related to diabetes. He retired from teaching in 1992.
“It was a very difficult time for him,” his former wife said. “He went from being so active to not even walking on his own.”
A high point in his career came in the mid-1990s when he was invited to a Maine East class reunion at the White House hosted by President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary.
“It was a thrill of a lifetime for him,” his daughter said. “He met both Bill and Hillary and had the chance to catch up with many of his former students.”
Soon after surgery to receive a donated kidney from his daughter, Mr. Davitt moved into the Tamarack, an assisted-living facility in Palatine. There he organized a living-history program in which students from nearby Paddock Elementary School taped interviews with residents.
“That program was something special to his heart, because he loved listening to people’s stories and learning about their lives,” his daughter said.
Other survivors include two sons, Jeffrey and Terence; a sister, Dee Dee Evans-Hein; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Ahlgrim and Sons Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Willow Creek Community Church, 67 E. Algonquin Rd., Barrington Hills.
