As an SC man remains missing, fellow divers find a way to honor him and help his family
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It’s been almost two weeks.
Almost two weeks since Alan Devier, 49, and one of his best friends and diving partners, Jimmy Armstrong, 66, said a prayer — the way they always do — before taking turns diving deep into the Port Royal Sound searching for their next great find.
Almost two weeks since Devier, of Charleston, went down for the last dive of the trip and never resurfaced.
The news left the Lowcountry diving community heart broken and Devier’s family praying for his return.
Locally, those with boats were eager to launch in Beaufort County’s waters and help search for Devier.
Far away from the county, others who either knew Devier or had heard the news about their fellow diver wanted to find a way to help, too.
They’ve found it.
The Alan Devier Fundraiser page on Facebook was created May 4 and already has more than 720 members from all over the world.
The page is overflowing with fossil hunters, like Devier, who are auctioning off some of their most amazing finds, including rare shark teeth, and open water scuba diving courses.
Some of the people post their favorite memories of Devier, like the time he gave them a Megoladon tooth when they were feeling discouraged during a dive trip.
Others remember how he’d always leave something behind on their boats when he visited so he’d have a guaranteed reason to come back again.
Some of those who are a part of the effort never met Devier, but know many people who did.
That’s the way it is in the close-knit diving community.
Debra Powell, who created the page, lives in southwest Florida but became friends with Devier through mutual connections in that community.
Powell has run similar pages in the past for other divers or people in need, and Devier always donated fossils to those causes when he could.
“Alan has always been an inspiration to me,” she said. “Sometimes I’d come home to a box in the mail from him and it’d say, ‘Here’s something for your fundraisers or kids’ digs.’”
Devier had an especially huge heart and loved his family and God more than anything, she said.
Typically, Powell closes the fundraiser pages after a specific amount of time has passed.
She will leave Devier’s up permanently.
“I hope it connects Alan’s family with people they probably didn’t know and that they hear stories they probably didn’t know,” she said. “I also hope they connect with the people who loved Alan so much but they never had the opportunity to meet.”
Devier’s wife, Kim, said Powell and the Facebook page have been a blessing at a difficult time.
“It really warms my heart to see that Alan touched a lot of lives,” she said. “I am just so proud to be his wife.”
Kim said she’s been amazed by how many people are taking the time and resources to help her family.
Although the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its efforts after searching more than 7,580 square miles over the course of 168 hours, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Beaufort Water Search & Rescue are still searching for Devier. They’ve been joined by a host of volunteers.
Kim said she still gets messages from people every day saying they’re still looking for her husband.
“We have not given up, but it means the world to me that they haven’t given up looking for Alan either,” she said.
Kim and her family have traveled back to Charleston, but DNR calls them daily with a briefing update.
“It’s a very weird time because everything is unknown,” Kim said. “We’re just living in limbo pretty much, but I’m still wanting to find my husband.
“I still have that hope.”
This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 11:19 AM.
