Dr. Philip DiLavore III, 92, died July 16, 2023 at Westminster Village,
Terre Haute. He was born April 24, 1931, in Lawrence, Massachusetts,
to Philip DiLavore Jr. and Carmela DiDio DiLavore. Survivors include his
loving wife of 70 years, Evelyn Gailey DiLavore, and four children: Santa
Kuslan (James) of New York City, Dr. Pamela DiLavore of Chapel Hill NC,
Philip DiLavore IV (Regina) of Bloomington IN, and Teresa Depasse
(Kenny) of Terre Haute. Dr. DiLavore had four beloved grandchildren:
Kevin Depasse (Emily), Brian Depasse (Molly), Emma DiLavore, and
Athena DiLavore; and one great-grandson, Max Depasse. He is also
survived by his aunt Ann DiLavore McCook, brother-in-law Dave Rand,
sister-in-law Joyce Spradley, and numerous nieces and nephews. He
was preceded in death by sister Frances Rand and brother-in-law Billy
Spradley.
Phil attended Searles High School in Methuen, Massachusetts, and
Young Harris Junior College in Georgia. He received a BS in Biology from
Dakota Wesleyan University. After teaching high school math and
science and a stint as a medic in the US Army in Germany, he earned an
MS in Physics and a PhD in Atomic Physics from the University of
Michigan.
At the University of Maryland, Dr. DiLavore served as Assistant
Professor of Physics and Secondary Education and as Staff Physicist for
the Commission on College Physics, a nationwide effort to improve
Physics teaching funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). He
was Associate Chair of Physics and Astronomy for two years.
He came to Indiana State University in 1971 as Professor of Physics. He
was the National Director of the Tech Physics Project and Editor-in-
Chief of the Physics of Technology Modules, an NSF project of 50
physicists working to produce unique materials for teaching physics. He
developed innovative physics curricula beyond the traditional scope
including a course on physics for nursing students and a course on the
physics of musical acoustics.
Dr. DiLavore served as chairperson of the steering committee for the
Solar Energy Program, which produced materials to teach
undergraduates the technologies of solar energy. At ISU he served as
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Assistant Vice President of
Academic Affairs, Director of Institutional Research, Director of
Computer Resource Development, and Associate Director for User
Services in Academic Computing and Networking Services.
In his final year at ISU, he developed a state-of-the-art computerized
physics laboratory, funded by the NSF. He authored a book, “Energy:
Insights from Physics;” a teaching module, “The Bicycle,” published by
the American Institute of Physics; numerous laboratory manuals and a
number of journal articles. For two years, he taught physics in Shah
Alam, Malaysia. After retirement in 1993 as Emeritus Professor of
Physics, Dr. DiLavore worked as a multimedia consultant in the Faculty
Computing Resource Center.
Alongside his career, Phil pursued many interests. A lifelong music
lover, he was an accomplished violinist in his early years, played guitar
and banjo recreationally as an adult, and had a beautiful baritone
singing voice. Phil began jogging in the early days of its popularity and
was a familiar sight running and later walking around Collett Park.
Throughout his life, he was interested in learning about new ideas,
developing new skills and participating in a wide range of activities.
Some of his hobbies included painting, flying airplanes, trout fishing,
photography and technology. A meticulous craftsman, Phil was proud
of his basement woodworking shop where he produced beautiful
furniture for family members and treasured toys for grandchildren.
Donations to honor Phil may be sent to Hospice of the Wabash Valley,
400 8th Avenue, Terre Haute IN 47804; myhospicevna.org
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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