David deVries Obituary (1944 - 2026)

David Glenn DeVries was born on January 29, 1944, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026, at the age of 82. David, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, successful filmmaker, and prodigious craftsman, made his home in Argyle, New York, where he found great joy in his family, friends, and the beauty of the land. David graduated from the University of Nebraska and was proud to have served his country in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Junior Commissioned Officer during the Vietnam War. After making films for the navy, he began a rich career as a director, writer, and producer of documentaries. His company, David DeVries Films, produced numerous nature and history documentaries that captivated audiences and instilled in them an appreciation for the beauty of our world and the significance of our past. His documentary, The True Story of the Bridge on the River Kwai, earned him an Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary from the Director’s Guild of America, and he received an Emmy nomination for the History Channel’s Egypt Beyond the Pyramids. He was also proud of the television movie that he wrote and directed, which was filmed in his beloved Nebraska, Home at Last, and which aired on PBS. In his career, David traveled all over the world and had the honor to work with notable figures like Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, and George P. Shultz, among many others. Alongside his love of film, David was an ardent supporter of the New York Yankees and a rabid fan of Nebraska Cornhuskers football. He was a great lover of music, and was not only a member of the Battenkill Chorale but also served on the board of Music from Salem. David was an exceptional woodworker, and in addition to creating fine furniture, he also restored the interior of his 19th century farmhouse. A lifelong birder, he enjoyed bird-watching at the grasslands outside of Argyle, and participating in the annual Christmas bird counts in Washington County. David is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor (Spindel) DeVries of Argyle; daughter Anna DeVries of Brooklyn; son, Jonathan (Nacia) DeVries of Schenectady; grandchildren, Paloma, Noah and one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Marjorie DeVries; brother, Jim Dier and sister, Mary Ann DeVries. A celebration memorial remembering his life will be scheduled soon. Donations in his memory may be made to the Grassland Bird Trust at www.grasslandbirdtrust.org, as well as The Battenkill Chorale, https://battenkillchorale.org, and Music from Salem, https://musicfromsalem.org. As we remember and celebrate David's life, we invite friends and loved ones to share their memories and upload photos of him to the memorial page at www.flynnbrosinc.com.