Rusty Pendrey

Rusty was my 5th and 6th grade teacher in 1975 and 1976.... I have never stopped recalling to myself and others how fortunate we all were to carry forward the love from the impact of his intuitive creativity as a teacher.

I can't hear the songs, Delta Dawn, Country Roads or Joy to the world without having Rusty immediately return to me ...(I was actually compelled to look him up after my son requested Country Roads on our Alexa...and after telling them about a man, who was my teacher but resonates in my soul. I realize even now that Rusty is one of the major influences
which allows me to trust there is creativity in my soul and just as he did that I can see good in all people.

I have wanted to reach out to him many times over the decades but although we didn't reconnect I knew that was still teaching and he could not help but continue impacting others as he did our class.

Thank you to those who have shared.... it sets the deep roots he planted in my soul garden even further down to hear how he did this for you.

To his family, my sincere and deepest condolences.

Mr. Pendrey was one of the kindest, warm, loving, understanding, compassionate, playful, and gentle soul I knew. I had the pleasure and privilege of being his student in the 4th grade back in the 90s. He saw me as a human being and not as an immigrant child who didn't know how to speak or read English. He was inclusive and encouraging. To this day, I remember him, specially during times of great challenges - his memory helps me push through - that's how much of an impact he had in my life. May he rest in peace, dance amongst the clouds, sing and play his guitar, in heaven you are. Thank you for the gift that was you, Mr. Pendrey. Thank you. Thank you.

Paris,
I wish to express a tribute to a frmr teacher and willing person, that being in name Rusty Pendrey, who passed December 2023. He is at rest, but his impact as a spirited person, who grew his hair out && let it fly in the wind, is the guy that I knew. I remember as if it were yesterday, having our classroom time: playing guitar singing songs, "My baby just wrote me a letter" "Raindrops" etc... that photo in the classroom of that band, the fun computer games, making paper mache masks, going to the park playing many games like "British Bulldog" as somebody mentioned already, and having the conference time with the "talking stick", and just being a major cord in the Clarendon Community. His eagerness to live, learn & engage life will be missed. Cheers!!!!!

His apron at school & his table groupings.

Rusty was one of the best teachers I ever had. I was in his class for 4th and 5th grade in 96-97. I had a tough 3rd grade year and he made me happy to be in class again. His attitude, energy, and outlook made learning fun. He was fair and understanding. He was also funny. I´m not much of a singer, but when he broke out his acoustic guitar, or the white electric with the whammy bar, I was always happy to sing. I´m now a teacher myself, and the example Rusty set is a model I strive to emulate. Having read some of the messages from former students, I dearly hope I can make half the impact that Rusty did.

Sending my condolences to the family. Rusty holds a special place in this world and in my heart. He was my 4th grade teacher in 1998. He taught me some of life´s hardest lesson like an absolute G. He used to play acoustic guitar and taught our class to sing "Joy to the World" is a song written by Hoyt Axton and made famous by the band Three Dog Night. The song is also popularly known by its opening lyric, "Jeremiah was a bullfrog". I learned how to use a Mac in Rusty´s class. I learned oh so much from his class. My little sister Nicole and I will forever be grateful for the amazing teacher he was to us and so many others. I will always remember him. My prayers go out to his family.

Rusty had the gift of being able to reach and encourage any child to bring out the talents that they didn't know they had. Many times, I've thought that if Rusty could have time with this or that child, he could make such an impact. Heaven has a special place for you my friend.

Rusty was one of my favorite teachers. What an amazing person. I will always remember him.

Oh this is very hard to accept. Still to this day my favorite teacher of all time. My family holds a special place in our hearts for this most special teacher and friend. Nick and I will forever ever cherish your lessons. What i would do to go one of his awesome field trips one last time or splashed on a summer day from a water balloon from the catapult.

Our family has nothing but very fond memories of Rusty. He taught both of our children at Clarendon and to this day remains their favorite human being on earth. Such a wonderful teacher and kind man. We also got to know him personally and were so grateful for it. One of a kind. The universe is better because he is part of it.

Glad we were able to get together for that High Sierra backpack with Jeremy a few years ago, and that long conversation we had recently. Gonna miss you Bro'.