Upper Darby High School - Oak Yearbook (Upper Darby, PA)

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(Jhr iCifr auft Murk of if. fH. fflrnftntljall ENDERSON M. MENDENHALL ,the son of Lydia Mer- rick and the late Townsend Mendenhall, was born in Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1885. He was educated in the schools of Kennett Township and at the West Chester State Normal School, where he was graduated in June, 1904. In September, 1910, Mr. Mendenhall came to Upper Darby Town- ship, where as principal of the high school, and later as superintendent of schools In this rapidly growing district, he served his community faithfully and devotedly for sixteen years. With a far-seeing vision, he met and solved the two-fold problem of increasing his school equip- ment to keep pace with a phenomenal growth in his township and of keeping abreast of the best educational thought and progress. Always he sought the best of the new things for his schools. And then, when his fondest dreams for his school system were becoming realities, when he had become known throughout tiie country and the state by his work, when he had become loved in the smallest home in his community, Death called. The news of his sudden death on Saturday afternoon, September 18. came as a cloud over a sunbright sky, and, spreading rapidly through the district, left its shadows in saddened hearts. On the evening before he was buried, his home was opened to those who wished to spend one last, short moment beside him. He lay in a room filled with flowers, while for hours the people to whom he had endeared himself passed by in an almost endless line. And on Wednesday, while his body was being laid to rest in a restful, shady spot in Arlington Cemetery, near the school he loved so well, the auditorium of the High School was filled with a silent, saddened audience, who. in the halls that seemed almost permeated with his personality, listened to words of tribute to their leader and friend. Surely, he had gone down “as a lordly cedar, green with boughs,” and surely, his going had “left a lonesome spot against the sky.” To the boys and girls of Upper Darby who were privileged to come into contact with him, he has bequeathed a priceless heritage in encouragement, inspiration, and uplifting, ennobling influence. He is enthroned in this multitude of loving hearts. Sowing richly of sym- pathy, interest, helpfulness and love, he reaped richly in the affection of the young people of Upper Darby. A group of loyal, devoted alumni his passing while they pledge themselves to cherish their school all the more dearly for his sake. H ,-ama Cj.gili

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 THE FACULTY

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an ifl. iHrntonliaU Man says he died; God says he lives, And, living on in wisdom all too great To be revealed to mortal mind, he still Keeps watch and still, in kind and loving care. His chief concern is for our growth and us. And we, at first made helpless at the thought That we should miss his presence near, his smile, And many acts of thoughtful kindness that All served to make our work seem light,—we now Must turn to work again, to do the things He planned, with high resolve to “Carry on!” His grave a source of comfort near and dear His memory a gauge to test our work. Dear God, send strength to bear our sorrow while We humbly pray, “Thy will be done!” Z. E. M. September 22. 1926