Joseph Devins Obituary

Devins, Jr.
Lt. Col. Joseph "Herb" H.
Devins, Jr.
September 21, 1930
October 3, 2022

Herb Devins passed away peacefully at his home of many years in Colorado Springs. Herb was raised in Birmingham, Michigan and Great Neck, New York and graduated from West Point in 1952. Much of his early service was with the Army Special Forces and other airborne units. Herb later served on the faculty of the US Army Command and General Staff College and as a veteran of service in Europe, Central America, and Asia, including two tours in Vietnam. Herb retired from active duty in 1975, then devoted his days to raising a large and constantly varying assortment of children, grandchildren, and animals.
Herb's hobbies included skiing with family members, flying and serving as Wing Commander for the Civil Air Patrol, building an immersive HO scale model railroad layout, and walking his dogs on the trails behind the house. Herb is the author of two books, The Vaagso Raid and Bananas.
Herb is survived by five children, Dorian Devins, Will Short, Kelly Crawford, Krista Linville, and Kim McKay, and grandchildren, Brendan and Haley O'Connor, John and Molly Crawford, and Sean Short. Herb was predeceased by three wives, children John and David Short and grandchild Kyle Short.
Herb loved his family and was beloved by his family and friends. Herb lived the Code of Honor ingrained in him at West Point. He had a wild sense of humor, was a good listener, and a nurturing friend. He will be missed by all.
A celebration of Herb's life will be held this Sunday, October 9, at All Souls Unitarian Church, 730 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 at 4PM Mountain Time. All are invited.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the West Point Military Academy at https://www.westpointaog.org/giving