“Boise lost an incredible community champion and public servant with the passing of Chuck McDevitt,” said Mayor McLean. “It’s impossible to fully appreciate Chuck’s impact on Boise, from building the Simplot Youth Sports Complex that has served generations of Boise soccer and baseball players, to his tireless work preserving our Foothills open space as Chair of the first levy campaign and as founding Chair of the Foothills Conservation Advisory Board. Boise is a better place because of Chuck. On a personal note, he was a dear friend and mentor stemming from our time working to pass the first Foothills Open Space levy twenty years ago. Chuck’s wry humor, ability to challenge, speak frankly, and care deeply was unique and I’ll miss him deeply. My thoughts are with the McDevitt family.”
The Boise Parks and Recreation sports complex in West Boise located off Eagle and McMillan Roads bear’s Chuck McDevitt’s name and stands as a lasting testament to his commitment to providing sports and recreational opportunities for youth in Boise and beyond.
“To this day, no one has had a larger impact and influence on Boise Parks and Recreation than Chuck,” said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway. “His legacy of serving youth and creating accessible recreational opportunities for all residents is firmly cemented in our community and it was an honor to know him and to serve alongside him.”
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
Mr. McDevitt made a name for himself in the Boise community as a former Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court who believed in the philosophy that "keeping young people busy with work and play keeps them out of trouble." He is a past president of the Boise Parks and Recreation Commission and also led the Foothills Conservation Advisory Board. In 2004, McDevitt received the prestigious Robert M. Artz Award from the National Recreation and Park Association that recognizes an advocate, an elected or appointed official, or volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding efforts to forward public parks and recreation through education and activating the public in their community, state or at the national level.