Oregon SAF Fellow and Golden Member Receives Outstanding Alumnus Award from Penn State
Portland Chapter member Robert G. (Bob) Devlin has been notified that he is the 2023-24 recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award from his alma mater, Penn State University, in recognition of his professional achievement and service to the forestry profession, demonstrating high personal and professional standards throughout his career.
A 1958 forestry graduate, Bob came west after finishing school and had a 43-year career with the US Forest Service in Regions 5 and 6. Bob started his federal career in Region 5 and spent 22 years in California, working as a forester on the Oaknoll District on the Klamath National Forest, asst district ranger on the Greenhorn District of the Sequoia, Salmon River district ranger on the Klamath, and timber staff on the Stanislaus. He came to Oregon in 1980 serving as supervisor of the Rogue River National Forest for five years, then on to supervisor of the Umpqua National Forest for an additional six years. In 1991 he transferred to the Regional Office in Portland as R-6 timber staff, then staff director for Natural Resources until his retirement in 2000. Bob has been an active SAF member throughout his career both in California and Oregon, and he encouraged his employees to be active members of their professional society!
After retirement from federal service, Bob volunteered for an additional two decades as tutor in math and reading for elementary students the Gresham School District helping hundreds of young students gain proficiency in math and reading.
Vision problems in recent years have left him unable to drive, yet he remains active with friends, other SAF members and Forest Services retirees.
Bob and other Penn State alums will be honored by the College of Agricultural Sciences Forest Resources and Ecosystem Science program in April 2024 at the Penn State campus in University Park, PA.
Congratulations Bob on this well-deserved honor!
