About the De Lange Family

The De Lange Conferences are made possible by an endowment established at Rice University by C. M. and Demaris Hudspeth in memory of Demaris’ parents, Albert and Demaris De Lange. Albert De Lange (1892–1963) was an outstanding civil trial attorney who practiced law for 47 years, primarily in the Houston/Galveston area. He also was very active in masonry and served as the Grand Master of Texas Masons in 1950. Demaris Crowley De Lange (1895–1970) was a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother and diligently participated in church and neighborhood activities. The De Langes met in Sherman, Texas, and were married there in 1917. They had one daughter, Demaris, who was born in Galveston in 1920 and lived almost all her life in Houston where she passed away Nov. 23, 2015, at 94.

Demaris De Lange Hudspeth graduated from Rice Institute (now Rice University) in 1942. After graduation, she taught at two HISD elementary schools for nearly three years, an experience she remembered fondly throughout her life. During World War II she volunteered at the Interceptor Command of Houston. She married Chalmers M. (Hank) Hudspeth Jan. 30, 1945. January 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of a happy and mutually supportive marriage enhanced by her intelligence and wit. She enjoyed faculty and alumni activities at Rice for over 60 years. She was a member of the Friends of Fondren, the Shepherd Society, the Faculty Women's Club and the Discussion Group. For 27 years, she volunteered to teach a conversational English class for foreign-born Rice students and their spouses; 40 years later, she still heard from many of those students during holidays. Maintaining contact with many of these friends over decades was a source of great pleasure. Although she was raised in the Christian Science Church, Demaris attended the Questers’ Class Sunday School at Bethany Christian Church for many years. She read widely and enjoyed avid discussions on a variety of topics, displaying her intelligence and wonderful sense of humor. In their later years, she and Hank traveled to many countries. Demaris’ family was the joy of her life.

Demaris’ husband, Chalmers M. “Hank” Hudspeth, died 30 July 30, 2019, at 99. Hank graduated from the Rice Institute in 1940. At Rice, Hank was president of the Alumni Association in 1968. He served as alumni governor of the board of directors from 1980 to 1984 and was elected a trustee in 1982, retiring from the board in 1989 as trustee emeritus.

Demaris and Hank remained active in the Rice community throughout their lives. Even though this exceptional couple is no longer with us, we will continue to celebrate their pursuit of knowledge through Scientia and future De Lange Conferences.

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(left) Albert De Lange, 1892 - 1963
(middle) Demaris De Lange, 1895 - 1970
(right) Albert J. De Lange and wife Demaris De Lange

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