Richard Corbett "Corby" Davis (1914-1968)

	ca. 1933	1938
1961

This Lowell Tribune article was found in the January 25, 1945, issue (page 2, column 1-2):

With the Fifth Infantry Div. -- The staging of post-season bowl games and selection of All-America football teams are noted with nostalgia by members of the Fifth Division, many of whom gained fame in the States by crashing another kind of line--the sports headline.

Capt. Jack D. Jester, of Indianapolis, division education officer, visited a Fifth medical company recently and spotted a familiar figure whom he recognized as Corby Davis, a former Indiana U. teammate. Pfc. Davis of Wilmette, Ill., formerly of Lowell, is a Second Infantry rifleman.

"Corby could crack a line almost as hard as Bronco Nagurski," Jester declared, "and we had a pretty fair passer named Frankie Filchock on the same club."

The Fifth also has Capt. Jack S. Gerrie of Rippon College in Wisconsin and professional Pittsburgh Steelers; Johnny Acuff of the Tennessee Volunteers who played professionally with the Chicago Cards, and also played baseball with the Cincinnati Reds; Frank Smith, another ex-Indiana ace; Bernard J. Blank, who played at Purdue; William F. Simpson at West Virginia; and William A. Groethal at North Dakota.

This March 1, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, columns 1-2:

The following letter was received by the Ed Brownells this week from Pfc. Corby Davis, who is recuperating at a hospital in England from a wound received in France:

Dear Gwyneth and Ed:

I was very happy to receive your Christmas card. Hope you had a nice vacation this year. I did not do so badly. Altho I didn't have a tree, etc., I did have a nice clean hospital bed and a good dinner. Yes, I rememer that game-- but I guess all games will be but fond memories for me, because my playing days are over. Tell you what--I'll drop around for a game of golf. It has been so long since I've had a club in my hands, I'm sure your course would be too tough for me.

I hear from my wife and folks regularly. They are well as is my baby. I feel fine now, but will be happy ony when I see the lady in the harbor.

This August 9, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 7, column 4:

SGT. CORBY DAVIS ENLISTS ELEVEN FOR GI LEAGUE

London, Aug. 7 -- Sgt. Corby Davis, former Indiana university and Cleveland Rams fullback, and Lowell's most outstanding football player, is rounding up GIs for a London team in the proposed soldier football leagues for England and continental Europe, Stars and Stripes said in a recent issue.

The United Kingdom base athletics office said a decision on the recent tentative plans which call for opening games Sept. 8 will be made after a meeting of unit athletic officers in London Aug. 20.

If the plans go through the United Kingdon and European champs will meet in the post-season title game.

A copy of the following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

Corby Davis, Former Lowell All-American, To Officiate In Rose Bowl

Corby, who now resides in Chicago, is a former L.H.S. star and a 1937 graduate of Indiana University. He was chosen on the All-American team in his senior year. Following graduation he played fullback on the Cleveland Rams professional grid team and for many years has been a Big Ten official.

This June 6, 1968, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1:

Former Lowell Football Star Dies May 28

Mr. R. Corbett (Corby) Davis died May 28th in a hospital in Houlton, Maine, as a result of a fishing accident.

His survivors are his wife, Margaret; two sons, Richard, who is a student at Indiana University and Corbett at home; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Lee of Prospect Heights, Ill., and Barbara, at home; two grandchildren; a brother, Paul of Hammond, and a sister, Mrs. Allen (Ruth) Wright of Munster. His father Nate Davis passed away a few months ago.

The funeral was held on Friday afternoon at Park Ridge, Ill., where they have lived for many years.

Corby was reared in Lowell and attended Lowell Grade and Lowell High School, where he excelled in athletics. He was a star football fullback. In 1937 he was elected to the All-American Football Team. Following college he entered professional football for a few years. He then went into the publishing business.

His many Lowell friends extend their deepest sympathy to his family.

The following article from an unidentified newspaper was found in Town Historian Richard Schmal's obituary collection. It was hand-dated June 7, 1968.

Corby Davis Rites Held

He attended Lowell schools and was a high school athletic star under Coach Jim Crow from 1932-34. In 1938 he won a trophy at IU as the most valuable of Big Ten players and played professional football with the Cleveland Rams from 1938 until 1942. Since 1952 he had been associated with the Scott Foresman publishing firm in Glenview, Illinois, while living in Park Ridge.

Survived by his wife Margaret, sons Richard and Corby and daughters Mrs. Mary Lee and Barbara, a brother Paul of Hammond and a sister Mrs. Allan Wright of Munster, he was remembered in services last week in Park Ridge. His father died last February 18.

Last updated on March 1, 2012.

Go to Corby Davis, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.

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Richard Corbett “Corby” Davis (1914-1968)