Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 8. Source pages: 10, 11.
Fred E. Davis, PhD, died on June 30, 2018, following some months of declining health. He was age 80. Dr. Davis was a cherished colleague to many in the state and especially to those in the New Orleans area. He was known for his wit and sense of humor, his enjoyment of colleagues, his loyalty to psychology and standards of excellence, and his love of both teaching and learning.
“Anyone who knew Fred, knew he loved psychology, especially psychotherapy,” said Dr. Carolyn Weyand, New Orleans psychologist and psychoanalyst. “He loved learning, teaching, and practice. He was a member of the Crescent City Area Psychological Society (CCAPS) and a participant in our Depth Psychology Study Group. Although his health had become too challenging for him to continue practicing, he loved psychotherapy so much that discussing other's cases brought him much joy. Fred generously contributed from his wealth of wisdom, knowledge, and years of practice.” “Fred was an amazing guy and a wonderful psychologist,” said Dr. Michael Chafetz, who first met him in the 1970s at Tulane. “Fred was the consummate professional psychologist,” Chafetz said. “Later, as a professional psychologist, I found him to be always helpful to the next generation of psychologists, providing many insights.”
“He was vital, energetic, and compassionate,” said Chafetz. “I will miss him greatly.”
Dr. Fred Edward Davis was born December 15, 1937, and grew up in Dallas, Texas. He joined the Army after high school and spent two years in Germany, where he traveled extensively and earned honors as a highly skilled marksman.
After his military service he entered the University of Texas at Austin and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in clinical psychology. This was followed by a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas.
After he settled in New Orleans in the 1970s, and was licensed to practice with Louisiana License #189, he worked in a variety of roles and positions.
He served as the Director of the Tulane University Counseling Center, a position he held for nearly a decade.
From the 70s to the 90s, Dr. Davis also served as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Tulane University School of Social Work, where he taught courses in the treatment of depression, statistics, research design, and supervised masters research projects and served as chair on doctoral dissertation committees.
“He was extremely popular with his students,” said wife Cynthia, “to the point that they had to limit enrollment in his classes so that other professors would have enough students in their courses.”
As a skilled researcher, Dr. Davis assisted numerous students with psychological concepts, research design of their doctoral projects, and in the writing of their dissertations.
“When the Tulane School of Social Work adopted a rule that only professors with Social Work degrees could teach at the school, Davis had to leave, which he regretted, explained Cynthia. “He absolutely loved teaching.”
Dr. Davis also worked in private practice at his firm, Davis and Associates, and was active in the firm for almost 40 years. During this time, he consulted at the Burdon Smith Psychiatric Clinic and DePaul Hospital. He provided counseling and psychological testing services for a wide variety of patients. He served as a consulting psychologist to the Tulane University Law Clinic, where he taught methods for interviewing clients and provided psychological services for cases. He also taught law students how and when to use experts in cases and role-played testimony in the trial practice program.
He was also called upon to serve as an expert witness in numerous court cases. His ability to take complex concepts and make them easily understandable was one of the many reasons students liked him and why attorneys and judges valued his input and testimony.
Dr. Davis served as the Psychological Consultant for Waterford III and Riverbend Nuclear Plants for Hillsman Psychiatric Associates, providing interviews, screenings, and MMPI data for thousands of candidates.
In 1997, Dr. Davis returned to graduate training at the University of New Orleans, where he obtained post graduate work in neuroanatomy and physiology, clinical neuropsychology, and ethics.
Davis was also an avid sportsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, diving and boating, and a long-time New Orleans Saints fan and season ticket holder.
During his career, Dr. Davis served on the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, was a member of the Crescent City Area Society of Psychologists, and was a long-standing member of the Louisiana Psychological Association, where he participated in the committee on education and conventions.
“After Katrina, Dr. Davis sheltered himself and his practice,” in Baton Rouge at the office of Dr. Darlyne Nemeth and NCLA, said Dr. Nemeth. “Watching him cope and care for his patients was one of the highlights of my life,” she said. “He was truly a remarkable man and a gifted clinician. I will miss him.”
“It was my pleasure to serve on the Board of Examiners with Dr. Fred Davis in the eighties.,” Nemeth said. “He was always the consummate scientist-professional and a superb clinician, the perfect gentleman. But there was more. He had the ability to look beyond––to see the real person, to ask the unexpected question, which allowed the examinee to reveal his or her true self. In this day and age of technical competence, Dr. Davis' wisdom went beyond.”
“Fred was a model professional psychologist as well as a really nice person,” said Dr. Charles Burchell.
President of the Louisiana Psychological Association, Dr. Julie Nelson, worked with Dr. Davis in the Education Committee. “He always had the most clever and insightful one–liner to offer, especially during a dust-ups. He had a marvelous way of relieving tension and transcending a problem with humor. And he was firm when it came to principles,” she said. “We’ve lost a great colleague.”
“He was also the life of parties,” Michael Chafetz said, “always with good stories. I will miss him. I think he will be remembered very well by our community.”
A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife Cynthia Stewart Davis, his brother Louis Freeman Davis (Kathy), his two children Susan Davis Gryder (Edmond) and Richard Davis (Julia), and grandchildren Charles Gryder, Claudia Gryder and Jane Davis. Survivors also include his stepchildren Kristin Neelis (Robert), Brian Clark (Ana), and Jeremy Clark, and step-grandchildren Brianne Tully, Brendan Tully, Zowie Kemery, Jonathan Alfaro, Nathan Clark, and Ethan Clark.
Friends and relatives are holding a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Interment will be private with military honors.
[Editor’s Note: The Times staff wishes to thank family members for photos and comments for this article, and offer our most sincere condolences.]
Dr. Fred Davis, cherished colleague and consummate professional psychologist, passed away in June at the age of 80. Dr. Fred Davis with one of his grands. Dr. Fred Davis enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid sportsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, diving and boating.
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