Dr. Clive M. Davis, 85, of Syracuse, New York, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026, surrounded by family after facing the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia for several years.

Born on September 30, 1940, in Ellsworth, Maine, Clive was raised in Hampden, where he graduated as valedictorian of Hampden Academy’s Class of 1958. A gifted student, athlete, and natural leader, he served as class vice president and demonstrated the wide-ranging interests that would define his life.

Clive attended Graceland College, earning a B.A. in Religion in 1962. During his time there, he was Senior Class President, edited the yearbook, contributed to the student newspaper, and developed a lifelong love of writing, learning, and photography. Shortly after graduating, he married the love of his life, Sandra L. Baird. Together they built a life rooted in family, education, and a shared appreciation for travel, culture, and new experiences.

Before beginning his academic career, Clive worked as a reporter for the Bangor Daily News in Machias, Maine, where he combined his love of writing with a natural curiosity about people and the world. He and Sandra later moved to Iowa City, where he earned his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1965. Their shared commitment to learning and exploration would shape much of their lives together. Following his doctoral studies, they spent nearly two years in Kampala, Uganda, where he taught and conducted research. That spirit of adventure later led them back to Uganda from 1971 to 1972 and provided opportunities to live and work in England and the Netherlands.

In 1967, Clive joined Syracuse University, where he spent nearly four decades as a Professor of Psychology. He taught full-time until his retirement in 1998 and continued part-time through 2005. His academic interests included social psychology, human sexuality, and cross-cultural perspectives on human behavior. Known for challenging students to think critically and engage thoughtfully, he believed deeply in the power of education.

Clive became a nationally recognized scholar and leader in the field of sexuality research and education. He served as President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality from 1984 to 1985 and was also the founding president of the Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. He served on the boards of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States and the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.

His scholarly contributions included serving as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Sex Research for eleven years, Associate Editor of the Annual Review of Sex Research, and authoring, co-authoring, or contributing to thirteen books. Through decades of research, teaching, writing, and mentorship, he helped shape and advance the field.

His expertise extended beyond the classroom and academic journals. He helped train Syracuse police officers in conflict intervention and family crisis response, testified before Congress regarding the effects of commercial influences on child development, and conducted research that was utilized in major federal cases involving censorship and media distribution. He was also recognized for his contributions to innovative distance-learning programs developed for members of the United States Marine Corps.

Despite his many professional accomplishments, Clive’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend. Together, he and Sandra raised their children, Grover and Karina, instilling in them curiosity, perseverance, kindness, and a spirit of adventure. He cherished time with Sandra, their children, granddaughter Kinsey, extended family, and many lifelong friends. As his only grandchild, Kinsey held a special place in his heart, and he took immense pride in the woman she became.

Maine always remained close to Clive’s heart. He and Sandra spent countless days at their camp on Round Lake near Machias, enjoying the outdoors and gathering with loved ones. A highly skilled fisherman, he especially loved pursuing trout in nearby streams and brooks. Resourceful and endlessly capable, he could build nearly anything he set his mind to, including the family camps that became cherished gathering places for generations. He was also a talented cook, craftsman, and someone others could always count on to solve a problem.

Clive was a man of remarkable intellect, creativity, and resourcefulness who approached life with enthusiasm, curiosity, and purpose. Whether in the classroom, working with his hands, preparing a meal, or casting a line along a Maine stream, he found joy in learning, doing, and sharing experiences with others. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Maui; cheering on Syracuse University athletics as a nearly 60-year season ticket holder for basketball; rooting for the Boston Red Sox; playing cards; and sharing stories with family and friends. Whether teaching, fishing, building, cooking, writing, or simply spending time with those he loved, Clive brought warmth, humor, and a genuine interest in others to every endeavor.

Clive was predeceased by his beloved wife of nearly 63 years, Sandra L. Davis; his parents, Grover I. Davis and L. Elizabeth Davis; and sisters-in-law, Ralyn Baird, Ruth Davis, and Sharon Davis.

He is survived by his son, Grover R. Davis and daughter-in-law, Ian M. Starr; his daughter, Karina L. Davis-Corr and son-in-law, James J. Davis-Corr; his granddaughter, Kinsey L. Davis-Corr; his brother, Carey C. Davis; and many extended family members, dear friends, former students, colleagues, and neighbors.

The family extends a special and heartfelt thank you to Elaina Edwards and Amanda Lorga for the exceptional care, compassion, and unwavering support they provided to Clive and his family.

Please join us for a casual gathering at Clive and Sandra’s home on Saturday, June 27, 2026, anytime between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. Please stop by to share a memory and celebrate Clive’s life with those who knew and loved him. Friends and family will also gather for an additional celebration in Machias, Maine later this year.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization supporting education, dementia research, or a charity of one’s choice.

Clive’s legacy lives on in the family he loved so deeply, the students he inspired, the scholarship he advanced, and the countless lives he touched through his wisdom, curiosity, generosity, compassion, and enduring belief in the value of learning.