David Pendleton of Lenexa, Kan., died Dec. 26, 2013, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where he had been a patient since June. He was 67. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Countryside Christian Church, 6101 Nall Ave., Mission, Kan. The son of Robert Eugene "Gene" and Dorothy Lovett Pendleton, he was born on Dec. 20, 1946, in Neodesha, Kan. He graduated from Neodesha High School in 1965. He later earned his Bachelor of Science degree and his master's degree in education from Emporia State University. In 1977 he received his doctorate in education from the University of Kansas. He later married Nancy Parks, who preceded him in death. In 2003, he married Vickie Carver, they were later divorced. David served as a teacher and coach at Highland Park High School from 1969-71 before serving as a teacher (Shawnee Mission Northwest High School), assistant principal (Nallwood Junior High), associate principal (Shawnee Mission South) and principal (Shawnee Mission North) in the Shawnee Mission School District from 1971-1985. After serving as assistant principal and associate superintendent in the Basehor-Linwood School District, He rose to the position of superintendent in 1996. From 2001-2006 he was the superintendent at Region 14 School District in Woodbury, Conn. David worked as the assistant deputy superintendent for the Bibb County School District in Macon, Ga., from the summer of 2010 to December 2011. He was also a licensed real estate broker in both Kansas and Missouri. His work entailed the management of commercial real estate development, and he was partner in a commercial real estate management firm. He was the recipient of Apple's 1998 Kansas Outstanding Innovation Award as well as the National Distinguished Educator Award. He was the 1999 chairman of the Kansas Council of Superintendents and the 2000 president of the KAW Valley Superintendents' Association. He was the chairman of the Board of Directors for KanNet and the 1992 Kansas Association of School Curriculum "Developer of the Year." He is survived by two daughters, Amy and Annie; and one sister, Laticia Wooten and her husband Brian of Neodesha. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Barbara and Susie. A scholarship will be founded in his name. Contributions may be made to the NHS Alumni Scholarship Fund and left at Depew Law Firm, 620 Main St., Neodesha, Kan.

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Published by Kansas City Star on Jan. 22, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID PENDLETON

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5 Entries

Ellen Solek

January 27, 2014

I too had the privilege of knowing David Pendleton while in Region 14. He was a visionary leader who cared deeply about education and about the leadership team he built. In fact, David hired Dawn Hochsprung - later a heroine as Principal of Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, as a fledging elementary school principal in 2002. Dawn, John Salatto, and I served with David for 4 very special years. His no-nonsense style and warm sense of humor moved the district forward in many ways and shaped our hearts and minds along the way. Thank you David for the wonderful gifts you gave to us. I am proud that I had the chance to know you as friend and leader-colleague. My thoughts and prayers go out to your daughters and to friends David and Lynn Ahrens. Ellen Solek, Bristol, CT

January 25, 2014

Gone but not forgotten. Thy will be done. I love you cuz XOXO

John Miles

January 25, 2014

I first met David Pendleton in October, 2013, and saw him many times after that in his hospital room. I connected with him partly, I think, because I had grown up in the Shawnee Mission school district and we knew many of the same places and events. I found him to be dignified and surprisingly hopeful considering his very difficult health situation. My last visit with Dr. Pendleton was a lengthy one – over 30 minutes – seven days before he died. He told me how much he had loved his work and spoke with justifiable pride of conceiving of a “virtual classroom” while working on his dissertation many years ago. Though our relationship was brief and mostly professional, I shall not forget him.

January 25, 2014

I am sorry to hear the news of David's death . I worked with Dave as the first principal he hired when he took over Region 14 in Woodbury, Connecticut. I truly enjoyed working with David during his tenure in the Region. My condolences to his family and friends.
John Salatto, Former principal of Mitchell School, Woodbury, CT

Don and Barbara Wilson

January 25, 2014

We are saddened to learn of David's passing. We greatly enjoyed our years working with David at Shawnee Mission South and Shawnee Mission North. Our thoughts and prayers are with David's family at this time of loss.

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