Dr. Edward Davens Former health official

Dr. Edward Davens, a pediatrician and former state health official, died Sept. 8 at his Baltimore County home of a heart attack. He was 81 years old.

Private memorial services will be at his home today.

A native of Santa Barbara, Calif., Dr. Davens received his bachelor's and medical degrees from Stanford University. During World War II, he served with the Johns Hopkins 118th General Hospital Unit in Australia and the Philippines.

Pursuing his lifelong interest in preventive medicine and regionalization of health care, Dr. Davens directed the Maryland Regional Medical Program, affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Medical School, after he retired as Maryland's commissioner of health.

He also served on two presidential committees. He chaired the task force on prevention for President John F. Kennedy's panel on mental retardation. Under President Lyndon B. Johnson, he was one of the initial committee members that designed and launched Project Head Start.

Dr. Davens, who was predeceased by his wife, "Bee" Dinning Davens, is survived by a daughter, Eve Firor of West Virginia; a son, Gregor Davens of Maine; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.