Distinguished West Carrollton Alumnus and Educator, Richard Hensley '59

Bonnie Writes:

Thanks to Mr. James C. Johnson for relaying this wonderful message about our fellow alumnus, 1959'S RICHARD C. HENSLEY. I have read every word and it seems safe to say that, "A Hero Walked Among Us," when we were at school with Richard. Let's all pull for him. He's now in hospice care. What a great contribution he has made to humanity!

-------Original Message-------

From: Ada Johnson
Date: 08/12/05 19:00:25
To: Bonnie Risner
Subject: Richard Hensley

I wanted to relay this to you (in case you haven't
heard). This article appeared in the Dayton Daily News 8-11-05 -
titled "Educator receives honorary doctorate."

(Dr.) Richard Hensley, who served as a teacher and
administrator of W.C. schools for nearly 3 decades,
received an honorary doctorate last month from the
University of the Cumberlands (formerly Cumberland College,
Williamsburg, KY - ed.). Hensley, 64, graduated from the
university in 1964 he retired in 1992 from West
Carrollton Schools.

Hensley was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in
Educational Administration on July 23. The university was
represented by Rick Fleenor, a WC alumnus who met
Hensley in junior high school. "He is certainly one
of our most outstanding alumni because of his
professional accomplishments, but even more so because
of his commitment to and support of his alma mater," said
Fleenor, who serves as assistant to the university
president. "He is an outstanding example for
others."

Fleenor and Hensley became close friends after
Fleenor's high school graduation in 1981, when Hensley
learned that Fleenor was attending Cumberland.
Hensley has long supported the Williamsburg, Ky.
college, his wife, Carol, said.

"He loves Cumberland College and has set up an
endowment there and looks forward to contributing to
it more" she said. The endowment will be for "those
kids who are poor and who really can't afford an
education," she said.

Hensley is originally from Harlan, Ky., but finished
high school in West Carrollton in 1959. After
receiving his bachelor's degree in education from
Cumberland, Hensley started teaching seventh-grade
social studies at West Carrollton Junior High School.

Hensley received a master's degree from Wright State
University in 1971. Two years later, he was named
assistant principal. In 1983, he became principal.
During his time with the district, Hensley also served
as an atheletic events coordinator, a contract
negotiator and served on several committees,
including the year-round school planning committee,
the textbook adoption committe, the Staff Advisory
Council and the steering committee for a bond issue to
renovate the junior high in the late 1970's.
He also served as president of the WC Education
Assoc. and voted as a delegate at several Ohio Education
Assoc. representative assemblies. As an
administrator, he held a lifetime membership to OEA
and continued his association by chairing a division
of the secondary school administrator's annual
conference.

After he retired, Hensley continued to work as a
substitute teacher and principal, and served on a
committee to expand WC through annexation. One of
his favorite activities, according to his wife, was
taking tickets at WC football games.

"I don't know if I've ever met a person who was more
giving," said superintendent Rusty Clifford, who was
hired years after Hensley retired. "He will do
anything for anyone. From the moment you know him,
he's all about you."

In 2003, Hensley was inducted into the WC Educ
Foundation's Distinguished Service Hall of Fame.
Earlier this year, the foundation's board of directors
honored him again for his continuing and generous
support as a trustee of the Dickinson T. Guiler
Revocable Living Trust.

The Hensley's, who have been married 44 years, have
two children, Sgt. Rob Hensley with the WC Police
Dept. and Barbara Berggren of Columbus. They also
have 5 grandchildren.

Hensley has been undergoing treatment for cancer at
Kettering Memorial Hospital and is currently a
patient at Hospice of Dayton. Cards and letters can
be sent to the Hensley's home at 603 Crusader Dr.,
West Carrollton, OH 45449.
- End of Article -

I have included the entire article, however, forward
on whatever you feel is pertinent. I just wanted to
be sure all are aware of it.

Thank you - Jay (Mr. Johnson)
- posted by Mikey @ 9:14 AM