Obituary of Devlin Albert Hunt

Devlin Albert Hunt, passed away suddenly, but peacefully, surrounded by immediate family, on January, 24, 2017 at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, IL. He was 67, and had been a resident of Winthrop Harbor, IL since 2001. Devlin was born March 14, 1949 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to English and Scottish parents, Roland Albert Hunt and Patricia Christina Bailey. He was an inquisitive child, growing up in Winnipeg and Beausejour, Manitoba. As a teen, he excelled at speed skating, placing in the Manitoba Provincial Championship. He adopted velodrome bicycle racing to train in the off season. He purchased his first motorcycle, a Honda 50, when he was 15 years old. Devlin graduated from Schreyer High School in Beausejour in 1968. He took courses in Industrial Education and Engineering at Red River College and the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Devlin married his high school sweetheart, Katherine Helen Kennedy, in Winnipeg in 1970, and they were together until 1993. They raised two children, Kristin Nerrin and Ryan Devlin in the beautiful Brainerd, MN lakes area. As a husband, Devlin believed in traditional family values. He worked hard, and Kathy was fortunate to stay home. He was a strict father, expecting impeccable manners and intense dedication to school and extracurricular activities. Ryan Hunt, of Kenosha, WI, who followed his father's career, is a mechanical engineer. Kristin Hunt-Prell, of Bolingbrook, IL, is an oncology clinical research nurse. Devlin was a highly-respected mechanical engineer, specializing in small engine and fuel system development. He began working for Kohler of Canada Ltd., Toronto, in 1972. Outside work, his performance as a tuner for the Kohler- powered, George “Bud” Lee snowmobile racer landed him a position at Arctic Enterprises, Inc., and he moved his family to Thief River Falls, MN in 1975. He spent the majority of his career at Cuyuna Engine Company in Crosby, MN as the Research and Development Manager, working closely with Boeing, Mc Donnell Douglas, and the US Armed Forces. In 1993, he began working for Walbro Corporation in Cass City, MI and he retired from Bombardier Recreational Products, Sturtevant, WI in 2008. He was sought as a private contractor by the US Navy, Lockheed, and Cosworth, and has several patents. Even in retirement, Devlin was a valued mentor. Devlin thoroughly enjoyed his retirement lifestyle. He delighted in the fabrication and repair of motorcycles in his extensive basement workshop. He was the enthusiastic crew chief for his son and daughter in law's American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) team, and gladly assisted and advised other racers. He volunteered for the BUILD Program of Milwaukee, mentoring high school students. Tuesday evenings were spent fraternizing with the local motorcycle group. He toured the US and Canada on his BMW with his friend of 15 years, Barbara Parkinson. Together, Devlin and Barbara also enjoyed industrial arts, photography, lifelong learning, and visiting his grandchildren, Danny and Leah Prell, and Barbara's children, Kyla (Mark) Mazurkewiz and Tim Parkinson. Devlin leaves behind a multitude of friends and family to whom he was their rock. He was always a logical and sound presence who was eager to help, educate, and celebrate. May all these things, his wise, infectious grin and wry humour, provide lasting memories to those whose lives he influenced. He is survived by his mother, Patricia Hunt, two sisters, Cynthia (Dan) Delaloye and Sandra Prettie, son, Ryan (Evie) Hunt, daughter, Kristin Hunt-Prell, two grandchildren, Danny and Leah Prell, three nieces, one nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, and their families. He was preceded in death by his father, Roland Hunt. A celebration of life will occur on February 3, 2017 at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd. Zion, IL. Visitation is from 5-7 pm and an informal service will occur from 7-8 pm. Donations to the AHRMA Benevolent Fund in his honor are welcome.