I had the honor of having Mr Patton as a principal ('81-'84) and as an Algebra teacher ('83-'84). I still have so many vivid memories of his incredible height, booming voice and always present, warm smile! He, along with several other memorable math teachers (Dan Cippolini) are greatly responsible for my confidence with math and my ability to pass this on to my two daughters. Mr Patton was such a dynamic Algebra teacher! Being seated according to test scores was both intimidating and motivating. I never encountered that in any other class. I have a random memory of him teaching our Algebra class the word (and definition of) superfluous. I can't remember why he thought it was important, but I've never forgotten that moment, or the definition.
When I heard years ago that the middle school was renamed for him, I was so pleased, but not at all surprised. He was a great, great man.
Thank you for gathering these memories,
Donna (Mallalieu) Stack
UHS Class of 1988
Monday, August 18, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Classic Mr. Patton
When I think of Mr. Patton I cannot help but smile. He has been a positive influence in my life since I was a 6th grade student attending Unionville Middle School in the 1970's. There are very few people whose voice I can hear clearly in my head, Mr. Patton's is one of them. He was a gentle giant with a mischievous laugh that rang through the halls of Patton. I can remember clearly how he would say my name: "Ann......." and later "Mrs. Ferron..........." followed by questions about my family and comments about our community. I was a lucky girl to grow up in the shadow of Charles Patton. I consider myself blessed to be able to call him my teacher, mentor and friend.
Mr. Patton hired me on a Saturday afternoon two days before school opened in 1986. I was teaching for two years in the West Chester School District as a LTS after graduating from Millersville. By a strike of good luck I was called by Mrs. Waibel to come in for an emergency interview when the Art teacher resigned on the Friday before opening day. Times were different back then, and Mr. Patton put me in the classroom on Monday morning with Mrs. Patton by my side until all clearances and approvals had gone through about a week later! T this day I have a unique bond with Mrs. Patton. What a bonus!
I worked for Mr. Patton until he retired and Bruce Vosburgh took over. Those years produced so many memories, some serious, some uplifting, and many funny. It would take forever to go through them all, but, here is a quick one that I think is classic Mr. Patton;
In September of 1988 I returned to Unionville Middle School for in-service days very pregnant with my first child. The baby was due in mid October, so of course I was heading back to school for the new year. Little did I know that Mother Nature had other plans! David was born that weekend, 6 weeks early! The baby was healthy, I was happy and one of the first calls of congratulations I received was from Mr. Patton. After the initial congratulations, Mr. Patton said " Well young lady you know you have left me in in quite a bind. I have not even begun the search for your substitute." I apologized for the early delivery, but also reminded him that it was pretty obvious that there was a baby on the way. He laughed, said he would figure it out, not to worry and to enjoy my time at home being a new mom. This was classic Mr. Patton.
Mr. Patton may be gone, but his child like, fun loving spirit lives on in the halls of the school so aptly named for him. Rest in Peace Mr. Patton, you made a tremendous difference in the world while you were here.
With love and affection, sincerely,
Ann Ferron
Former Student and Current Patton MS Teacher
Mr. Patton hired me on a Saturday afternoon two days before school opened in 1986. I was teaching for two years in the West Chester School District as a LTS after graduating from Millersville. By a strike of good luck I was called by Mrs. Waibel to come in for an emergency interview when the Art teacher resigned on the Friday before opening day. Times were different back then, and Mr. Patton put me in the classroom on Monday morning with Mrs. Patton by my side until all clearances and approvals had gone through about a week later! T this day I have a unique bond with Mrs. Patton. What a bonus!
I worked for Mr. Patton until he retired and Bruce Vosburgh took over. Those years produced so many memories, some serious, some uplifting, and many funny. It would take forever to go through them all, but, here is a quick one that I think is classic Mr. Patton;
In September of 1988 I returned to Unionville Middle School for in-service days very pregnant with my first child. The baby was due in mid October, so of course I was heading back to school for the new year. Little did I know that Mother Nature had other plans! David was born that weekend, 6 weeks early! The baby was healthy, I was happy and one of the first calls of congratulations I received was from Mr. Patton. After the initial congratulations, Mr. Patton said " Well young lady you know you have left me in in quite a bind. I have not even begun the search for your substitute." I apologized for the early delivery, but also reminded him that it was pretty obvious that there was a baby on the way. He laughed, said he would figure it out, not to worry and to enjoy my time at home being a new mom. This was classic Mr. Patton.
Mr. Patton may be gone, but his child like, fun loving spirit lives on in the halls of the school so aptly named for him. Rest in Peace Mr. Patton, you made a tremendous difference in the world while you were here.
With love and affection, sincerely,
Ann Ferron
Former Student and Current Patton MS Teacher
The Substitute Principal
Mr. Patton was my principal.
But not at Charles F. Patton Middle School.
In May of 1997, I was a teacher at Phoenixville Area Middle School. I was preparing to interview for a position at Patton Middle School with then principal Bruce Vosburgh at the same time that Phoenxiville's principal was leaving his position. Phoenixville was bringing in an interim principal for the remainder of the school year and we were scheduled to meet him the next day. When I arrived at school next morning, our new principal was standing by the office counter in the main office and I went up and introduced myself to him. He said that his name was Charles Patton and I, a little stunned, replied, "As in...Charles F. Patton Middle School?" Not missing a beat and with a little twinkle in his eye, Mr. Patton said, "Never heard of that guy!" A few days later, I interviewed for my current position at Patton Middle School, not telling any of my colleagues at Phoenixille I was doing so. The next day, I was working alone in my classroom when Mr. Patton strolled into my room. He leaned against a chair next to my desk and said quietly, "So, you're interviewing for a job at my old school?" As I was to find our later, Mr. Patton knew everything.
I did get that job and have been teaching at Patton Middle School ever since. Through the years, I would see Mr. Patton around the school (as he often came in to the building as a substitute teacher) and he would delight to tell everyone the story about how he was my principal. And when I saw Mr. Patton at his weekly bridge club gathering at school, just a few months before his passing, I was so happy to see him. Especially when he proudly told one of his bridge players, with that same twinkle in his eye, about how he had "stolen me" from Phoenixville all those years ago! I was delighted to talk with him and even more delighted that he thought of that story.
Mr. Patton was one of the nicest people I have ever known. He was also an outstanding teacher, principal, community member and family man. His legacy lives on and his influence is still felt at his middle school today, something we should strive to protect. I just wish I could have had the privilege of working for him at Patton Middle School. But I am thankful for Charles F. Patton as my principal for a few short weeks in 1997 and a story that I will remember and love to tell as much as he did.
John Walsh
Current Patton MS Teacher
But not at Charles F. Patton Middle School.
In May of 1997, I was a teacher at Phoenixville Area Middle School. I was preparing to interview for a position at Patton Middle School with then principal Bruce Vosburgh at the same time that Phoenxiville's principal was leaving his position. Phoenixville was bringing in an interim principal for the remainder of the school year and we were scheduled to meet him the next day. When I arrived at school next morning, our new principal was standing by the office counter in the main office and I went up and introduced myself to him. He said that his name was Charles Patton and I, a little stunned, replied, "As in...Charles F. Patton Middle School?" Not missing a beat and with a little twinkle in his eye, Mr. Patton said, "Never heard of that guy!" A few days later, I interviewed for my current position at Patton Middle School, not telling any of my colleagues at Phoenixille I was doing so. The next day, I was working alone in my classroom when Mr. Patton strolled into my room. He leaned against a chair next to my desk and said quietly, "So, you're interviewing for a job at my old school?" As I was to find our later, Mr. Patton knew everything.
I did get that job and have been teaching at Patton Middle School ever since. Through the years, I would see Mr. Patton around the school (as he often came in to the building as a substitute teacher) and he would delight to tell everyone the story about how he was my principal. And when I saw Mr. Patton at his weekly bridge club gathering at school, just a few months before his passing, I was so happy to see him. Especially when he proudly told one of his bridge players, with that same twinkle in his eye, about how he had "stolen me" from Phoenixville all those years ago! I was delighted to talk with him and even more delighted that he thought of that story.
Mr. Patton was one of the nicest people I have ever known. He was also an outstanding teacher, principal, community member and family man. His legacy lives on and his influence is still felt at his middle school today, something we should strive to protect. I just wish I could have had the privilege of working for him at Patton Middle School. But I am thankful for Charles F. Patton as my principal for a few short weeks in 1997 and a story that I will remember and love to tell as much as he did.
John Walsh
Current Patton MS Teacher
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Once In A Lifetime Experience
I have the DISTINCT memory of walking the contents of our lockers across the parking lot from the high school to a sparkling new middle school. I think we even carried some chairs. I was on the “Gold’ team, at that time that hallway was upstairs and to the left as you entered. I remember the gentle giant presence of Mr Patton welcoming us to this new school, a once in a lifetime experience. He was more than a principal to me---he was called Dad by one of my very best friends, ‘NancyBeth’. I remember voting on the ‘new’ school colors and the mascot.
My 4 older brothers had had Mr. Patton as a teacher---a VERY challenging one—for those who never had him as a teacher. I was so grateful that he went administration so that I didn’t have to have him. (I KNOW that my mother would have played the ‘I am the parent” card, and “I make only 1 request per child---and I insist that my daughter be placed in Charles Patton’s 6th grade class.”) I remember my brothers memorizing lengthy poems, attacking math problems, and sweating through writing assignments. (I was good with just having him be The Principal and Nancy’s dad!!!!) I believe that my oldest brother, Mike, had Mr. Patton as a student teacher. According to my mother, he was destined to be a master teacher from the start. That proved true.
I have fond memories of playing at his home. It’s a privilege to have had the influence of your Principal on the personal level that I did.
Thank you to the Patton family for sharing him with so many generations of students.
Thank you Mr. Patton,
Megan “Peggy” Kelly Bickhart
Former Patton MS Student
Thursday, July 24, 2014
From Junior High to Middle School
Mr. Charles F. Patton was given the duties of Principal of the Unionville Middle School while it was still under construction, and he was a sixth grade teacher at UE with a concentration on Mathematics. From the creation of teams (four, by color then!), to the daunting task of synchronizing the incoming three grades: from the Unionville Junior high (seventh and eighth), and sixth grade classes from both Chadds Ford and Unionville Elementary Schools, he was handling an extraordinary job! He shouldered the responsibility of this successful union, and struggled to balance teachers from all three schools, plus a handful of new staff, as we opened the new Middle School in January, 1973. It was a drizzly, raw day, but there was a line of both staff and students from the ground level Junior High to the doors of Unionville Middle School, with EVERYONE who was physically capable carrying boxes of books and supplies while Maintenance brought in furniture and equipment by truck. We all had a sense of pride and enthusiasm in our new school, with Mr. Patton glowing with his new building taking its first steps toward becoming the District's, and his, Pride and joy! (We were referred to frequently as the Taj Mahal, as we enjoyed air conditioning throughout, and sparkled with new facilities and grounds.)
Mr. Patton hired me in April of 1972, which was formalized in May of that year, to begin teaching Art in September in the Junior High, and then the transition to the Middle School. Of all the interviews I went through with District Administration, his was by far the kindest and most familial, and he impressed me with his intimate enthusiasm and love of teaching and children. He was always very paternal to his younger staff and it took me many years to stop addressing him as "Mr. Patton".
He wrestled with calling the school only "Unionville Middle School", as any student who was inducted into our short-lived Junior Honor Society will attest. I was instructed, as its first sponsor, to refer to and letter the honored students' certificates with "Unionville-Chadds Ford Middle School". He was both honored and humbled to have our building named after himself!
As many of our staff and community are aware, Charles was dedicated to his school, its sports teams, and the building's use until his final year. As both a substitute (he preferred Math, of course!), and more routinely, the beloved instructor of the CCo. Night School's Bridge Class (which was a social and scholarly group), Charles was a presence in his domain. Four of his five children were students and athletes in the MS, and four thus far of his grandchildren have also passed through its halls. He will live on in so many ways, even though the school has grown both physically and in curriculum and diversity beyond his wildest dreams in 1971!! He will be watching over it now through his next life, and hopefully as awed by its students and staff and their goals in education as he was 42 years ago! He was definitely a hands-on administrator, and a caring and personally investigative friend!
May the legacy of Charles F. Patton live on with future generations 0f the UCFSD community!
Carol A. Lehr Little
Former Patton MS Teacher
Mr. Patton hired me in April of 1972, which was formalized in May of that year, to begin teaching Art in September in the Junior High, and then the transition to the Middle School. Of all the interviews I went through with District Administration, his was by far the kindest and most familial, and he impressed me with his intimate enthusiasm and love of teaching and children. He was always very paternal to his younger staff and it took me many years to stop addressing him as "Mr. Patton".
He wrestled with calling the school only "Unionville Middle School", as any student who was inducted into our short-lived Junior Honor Society will attest. I was instructed, as its first sponsor, to refer to and letter the honored students' certificates with "Unionville-Chadds Ford Middle School". He was both honored and humbled to have our building named after himself!
As many of our staff and community are aware, Charles was dedicated to his school, its sports teams, and the building's use until his final year. As both a substitute (he preferred Math, of course!), and more routinely, the beloved instructor of the CCo. Night School's Bridge Class (which was a social and scholarly group), Charles was a presence in his domain. Four of his five children were students and athletes in the MS, and four thus far of his grandchildren have also passed through its halls. He will live on in so many ways, even though the school has grown both physically and in curriculum and diversity beyond his wildest dreams in 1971!! He will be watching over it now through his next life, and hopefully as awed by its students and staff and their goals in education as he was 42 years ago! He was definitely a hands-on administrator, and a caring and personally investigative friend!
May the legacy of Charles F. Patton live on with future generations 0f the UCFSD community!
Carol A. Lehr Little
Former Patton MS Teacher
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Remembering Mr. Patton
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.
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.
My fondest recollections of Charles are all centered on his thoughtfulness. No matter how many months passed, he always remembered our last conversation. He was always gracious and left me feeling better for having spoken with him.
One of the kindest notes I received when I was first named superintendent was from Charles. He assured me that I had his full confidence – and those were (and are) words that inspire me.
So to the Patton family - especially his wife Joanne, his children Rick, Nancy, Amy, Becky, and John - and their loved ones - I offer my sincere condolences. I know that Charles leaves an empty spot at the table and in your hearts. May it be filled with memories of a truly special man we were lucky enough to have for 85 years.
John Sanville
UCFSD Superintendent
Change Is A Part of Life
"Lynn, change is a part of life." This is only one of many pieces of advice that Charles Patton imparted over the 46 years that I knew him. I was introduced to Mr. Patton when I was 12 years old. He was one of my youth group leaders at Avondale Presbyterian Church. During those formative years, Charles taught our youth group many life skills, yet we were totally unaware because we were having so much fun. Group trips to New York City, Washington, D.C., and Camp Donegal were always exciting. Later in my life, Charles hired me to teach language arts at the middle school. Charles was a positive constant in my life: a Christian mentor, the best principal ever, and a wonderful father figure. I treasure my memories of Charles Patton and he will always have a special place in my heart. My heart goes out to his family at this time. Thank you for sharing Mr. Patton with us!
Lynn Fitzgibbon
Former Patton MS Teacher
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