Madison – Clarence J. DeSpain died on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at his home. He was 87. He was born in Burlington, Iowa on December 28, 1927 to Clarence M. and Elizabeth (Lynchard) DeSpain. He lived his early life in and around New London, Wyman, and Crawfordsville, Iowa, graduating from Crawfordsville Consolidated School District in 1945.

Clarence entered the service after graduation, attending the Army Specialized Reserve Program at the University of Wyoming for six months before his eighteenth birthday, at which time he entered the United States Army Air Corps. He served in the air corps (Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi and Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado) during 1946 and 1947 and was honorably discharged.

He attended Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa before transferring to the University of Denver where he received degrees in Theater (BA) and Education (MA). He was employed as an elementary teacher in the Denver Public Schools from 1950 to 1960.

Clarence married Permela Lee Birdsell in Beloit, WI on August 23, 1958. Following the birth of their first child, in Denver, they moved to Wenatchee, Washington. There, Mr. DeSpain was employed as a psychologist in the Special Education Department. A second child, a daughter, was born shortly after they arrived. While in Wenatchee, Mr. DeSpain performed in and directed several of the musicals presented during Wenatchee's springtime Blossom Festival. He also continued his education at Western and Central Washington Colleges. In 1966, the family moved back to Wisconsin to be near their parents, who required attention and care during their last years. Mr. DeSpain began work as a school psychologist in the Madison Public Schools in 1966. While employed by the school district, Mr. DeSpain earned a doctorate in education and psychology from the University of Wisconsin. He was "on loan" to the University for three years, serving as a supervisor of school psychology students and as Assistant Director for the university's Psychoeducational Clinic.

He was active in youth programs at Westminster Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. He also sang with the Madison Symphony Chorus and was involved with the Civic Opera. Dr. DeSpain retired from the Madison Metropolitan School District in 1987. In retirement, he taught courses in counseling at Madison Area Technical College, volunteered at the Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences and RSVP. He also served on the Black Earth Village Board for three years. Dr. DeSpain began work on a novel shortly before retiring and maintained an interest in writing for the remainder of his life. He completed three novels and a number of short stories. In 1999, he published a chapbook of his poetry which was dedicated to the family.

Survivors include his wife, his son Joel (Joyce) and their children Meghan and Connor, and his daughter Melinda Turnbull (Lee), their children her daughter Samantha Grimes (Eric), their children Jack and Cady, and daughter Lindsey Evans (Andy) and their child Freya; Sister, Betty DeBurn, Florida.

There will be a private memorial service. Memorials may be made to either the University of Wisconsin School of Education or Agrace Hospice.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home
& Cremation Services
5701 Odana Road
608-274-1000

Clarence Despain

December 28, 1927 - September 15, 2015

Share photos of Clarence