Remembering Charles F. Patton

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When Charles F. Patton retired in 1992 after 35 years in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, officials concluded that the man who had served as principal of Unionville Middle School since its inception in 1973 deserved to have his name on the building.

Thus, Patton became the first and only educator in the district to be honored eponymously at Charles F. Patton Middle School. At the time, School Board President Joseph Campbell was quoted as saying that the renaming was "in grateful and proper recognition" of the retiring principal, who died on Saturday, July 19, at the age of 85.

Patton, who remained active during his retirement — and connected to the district as a substitute teacher — will be remembered at a memorial service on Saturday, Aug. 23, at noon at the middle school. It will be preceded by visitation with Patton’s family, which includes his wife, five children, and 10 grandchildren, from 10 a.m. to noon. In the meantime, many of the people whose lives he touched have responded to the news of his passing with myriad tributes.

“Charles F. Patton embodied all that we treasure about Unionville — he was a dedicated family man, educator, volunteer and the kind of person everyone should have the chance to know,” said Unionville-Chadds Ford Supt. John Sanville in a district statement. “It is not often that a man from seemingly humble beginnings rises to the height of respect that Charles achieved. Every year, hundreds — perhaps thousands — of people enter Patton Middle School – the building named after a teacher, principal, bridge- player extraordinaire, Lions Club member, and friend to all — who until this past Saturday, July 19, was still a member of our community.”

Sanville also recalled “one of the kindest notes I received when I was first named superintendent.” He said Patton “assured me that I had his full confidence – and those were (and are) words that inspire me.”

A sympathy notice on the middle school web site includes an invitation to honor Patton through a collection of memories and anecdotes entitled ‘Remembering Mr. Patton.’ To contribute, visit http://rememberingmrpatton.blogspot.com.

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